The suspect in a deadly attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans has been identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, two U.S. federal officials told CBS News.
At least 10 people were killed and dozens were injured when a man drove around barricades and hurtled down Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter in “very intentional behavior,” as New Year’s revelers were celebrating early on Wednesday, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.
“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said.
The FBI said it is investigating the incident “as an act of terrorism.”
What happened on Bourbon Street in New Orleans?
The deadly attack unfolded at about 3:15 a.m. when a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd and then exchanged gunfire with police officers, officials said. The suspect was struck by police fire and declared dead at the scene, the New Orleans Police Department said.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that two police officers were hit by gunfire but were in a stable condition.
What we know about the Bourbon Street suspect
Investigators are looking into whether the suspect was connected to — or inspired by — a foreign terror organization, law enforcement and city official sources told CBS News.
The truck that crashed into the crowd appeared to be flying a large black flag from its rear bumper, according to a CBS News review of images of the vehicle. Investigators are probing whether it is an ISIS flag or if it is tied to another foreign terror organization, law enforcement sources said.
A person familiar with the investigation told CBS News that as of midday Wednesday, neither ISIS nor any other foreign terror organization had claimed responsibility for the attack.
One U.S. official told CBS News the suspect was alone at the time, but said the investigation is in its early stages.
The deceased suspect was wearing body armor, two sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News. A long gun “with a suppressive device” on it that acted as a silencer was recovered from the scene, law enforcement sources said.
What we know about the victims of the New Orleans attack
The City of New Orleans said in a statement that 30 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries and that 10 people were confirmed dead.
Kirkpatrick later said that at least 35 people were hospitalized.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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