Authorities have confirmed the identity of the person who allegedly rammed a vehicle into a crowd of people in New Orleans during a New Year's celebration early Wednesday morning, killing 10 and injuring dozens of others.
The FBI said that the suspect was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. local time in the popular area of Bourbon and Canal Street. Authorities said the vehicle used in the attack was reportedly a Ford F-150 Lightning truck and was rented through a car sharing company.
Law enforcement officials said that the suspect in the incident was killed following a firefight with police. Two officers were also wounded in the incident but are in stable condition, according to police.
A photo circulated among law enforcement officials showed a bearded Jabbar wearing camouflage next to the truck after he was killed by police, according to The Associated Press.
"It was very intentional behavior," New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said at a press conference. "This man was trying to run over as many people as he could."
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The FBI said they are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism after weapons, an ISIS flag, and a potential improvised explosive device were located inside the vehicle. Authorities said other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.
The White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident and called New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer full federal support.
"I am grateful for the brave and swift response of local law enforcement in preventing even greater death and injury," President Biden said in a statement. "I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind."
President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the attack, calling it an "act of pure evil."
"When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true," Trump said in a statement. "The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department."
This comes at a time when tens of thousands of college football fans are gathering in New Orleans for The Sugar Bowl matchup between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame — which was scheduled to be held later in the day less than a mile away from the attack. But officials announced that the match will be postponed 24 hours.
Meanwhile, University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead announced that a UGA student was also critically injured in the attack.
"I have spoken to the student's family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community," he said in a statement.
"As we continue to hold the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, the University will do everything in its power to support those in our community who have been impacted by this unspeakable event," Morehead added.
The FBI has set up a digital tip line and is asking anyone with information related to the incident to please submit it here.
