While the arrival of the new year was celebrated with enthusiasm all over the world, the attack in New Orleans, USA, drew the attention of the world public to this point. A person drove his truck into a crowd attending New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 15 people.
HE WORKED AS AN IT SPECIALIST IN THE ARMY
Following the attack, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the identity of the attacker as 42-year-old US citizen Şemseddin Cabbar from Texas. It was reported that the attacker was a real estate agent working in Houston and served as an IT specialist in the army.
ISIS FLAG WAS FOUND FROM HIS VEHICLE
Authorities stated that the attacker had a flag of the terrorist organization ISIS in his vehicle and that they were looking for Cabbar’s accomplices.
BIDEN STATES THAT HE HAD A “WILL TO KILL”
US President Joe Biden said that in videos published on social media shortly before the attack, the attacker stated that he had a “desire to kill.”
CABBAR JOINED THE ARMY IN 2007 AND SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN
The FBI said Jabbar joined the military in 2007, served on active duty in human resources and information technologies, and served in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2010. Cabbar transferred to the Army Reserves in 2015 and left the army in 2020 with the rank of sergeant major.
ATTENTION-DRAWING VIDEO FROM FACEBOOK ACCOUNT! SHE SAID ALLEGIANCE TO DAESH
According to a police official, Cabbar had ‘sworn allegiance to ISIS’ in several videos he published on his Facebook page the night before the attack. He appeared to be driving in videos addressed to his family.
WARNING FROM BIDEN: THE SITUATION IS VERY VARIABLE
Biden said they are looking for any connections, relationships or co-conspirators that may be connected to the man. The US President said, “The situation is very fluid. The investigation is actively continuing and no one should jump to conclusions.”
“THIS IS NOT JUST AN ACT OF TERROR, THIS IS EVIL”
Zion Parsons, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi, said he saw the truck “speed by, throwing people into the air like in a movie scene.” “Bodies, bodies up and down the street, everyone was screaming and yelling,” said Parsons, whose friend Nikyra Dedeaux was among the dead.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick also said, “This is not just an act of terrorism. “This is evil,” he said. Kirkpatrick said that the driver managed to bypass the security measures taken to protect pedestrians and was determined to commit massacre.
“WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CABBAR IS ALONE RESPONSIBLE”
The attack is the latest example of a vehicle being used as a weapon to commit mass violence, following the incident in Magdeburg, Germany. It is also the deadliest ISIS-inspired attack on US soil in years.
“We do not believe Jabbar is solely responsible,” FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said at a press conference.
A LOT OF HAND MADE EXPLOSIVES WERE FOUND AT THE SCENE
Investigators found several improvised explosive devices at the scene, including two pipe bombs hidden in coolers and wired to be detonated remotely, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
Investigators also seized a handgun and an AR-style rifle.
THREE MEN AND ONE WOMAN
The bulletin, based on preliminary information gathered shortly after the attack, also cited security camera footage showing three men and a woman placing one of the devices.
However, it is not yet clear who these people are or what connection, if any, they have with the attack.
Authorities said Cabbar drove his rented pickup truck onto a sidewalk and went around a police vehicle positioned to block vehicle traffic. A barrier system to prevent vehicular attacks was being repaired in preparation for the Super Bowl in February.
TWO POLICE POLICEMEN WERE SHOT
Kirkpatrick announced that Cabbar returned fire after exiting the truck and was killed by police. Two police officers were shot in the conflict and their condition was stated to be stable.
A photo circulating among law enforcement showed Cabbar, bearded and wearing camouflage, next to the truck after he was killed. In the intelligence bulletin obtained by AP, it is stated that Cabbar was wearing a ballistic vest and helmet. The FBI reported that the ISIS flag was on the trailer hitch of the truck.