The suspect behind New Orleans’ horrific New Year’s truck attack has been preliminary identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar.
Din Jabbar, 42, is accused of intentionally plowing a pickup truck into New Year’s revellers at about 3.15 am (local time) on Bourbon Street.
A total of 10 people were killed and 35 were left injured after the driver rammed the vehicle into the crowd in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Local reports have claimed that an Isis flag was found in the pick-up truck.
The suspect was shot and killed by police officers after engaging in a gunfight.
“After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire,” a police spokesman said.
Two officers were shot and wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Din Jabbar was accused of intentionally ramming the vehicle into the crowd, with the FBI investigating the attack “as an act of terrorism”.
The FBI has since said that “improvised explosive devices” have been found inside the truck used for the attack.
Responding to the horrific attack, US President Joe Biden said: “I have been continually briefed since early this morning regarding the horrific incident that occurred in New Orleans overnight.
“The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism.
“I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday.
“There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
Donald Trump, who will replace Biden in the White House on January 20, appeared to suggest Din Jabbar was connected to “foreign criminals”.
He wrote: “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.”
Without directly attributing blame, Trump added: “Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”
Despite Trump’s comments, CNN later reported that Din Jabbar was a US citizen from Texas.