A former US Army member ploughed a pickup truck into a New Year’s crowd in New Orleans, causing the death of 15 individuals. The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had previously posted videos on social media declaring his support for ISIS and his intention to commit violence. This information was confirmed by President Joe Biden, who denounced the act as “despicable” and “heinous.”

The FBI is currently investigating the incident as a terrorist act, believing that the suspect did not act alone. Early Wednesday, the suspect had managed to bypass a police blockade before crashing into the crowd. He was subsequently shot and killed by the police.

During the investigation, firearms and what seemed to be a homemade bomb were discovered in the vehicle, which was adorned with the flag of ISIS. Additional explosive devices were found in other parts of New Orleans’ renowned French Quarter.

The horrifying event turned the normally jovial Bourbon Street into a scene of terror, with injured victims and panicked pedestrians scattered everywhere. Apart from the deceased, many others were injured. The event also led to the postponement of a college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome.

Zion Parsons, a witness, likened the scene to a movie. He reported seeing bodies strewn across the street and people in panic. The New Orleans Police Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, referred to the incident as an act of “evil”.

This incident is one of the deadliest ISIS-inspired attacks on US soil in recent years, marking a dangerous use of vehicles as weapons for mass violence. Kirkpatrick stated that the driver had overcome pedestrian safety measures, underlining his intent to cause destruction.

The FBI revealed that the driver, a Texas-native US citizen, might have had links with terrorist organizations. Preliminary information from a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin stated that there were multiple improvised explosives, including two pipe bombs hidden within coolers and wired for remote detonation.

Jabbar had served in the US Army from 2007 to 2020, with active duty in human resources and information technology, and had been deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. The aftermath of the attack left an eerie silence in the bustling tourist hub, with the area remaining an active crime scene. However, life seemed to continue as normal just a few blocks away.

President Biden expressed his condolences to the victims and the people of New Orleans, stating that the nation grieves with them. He further reiterated that there is no justification for violence and that any attacks on the nation’s communities will not be tolerated.

The incident has raised concerns about an increased threat of international terrorism due to the Israel-Hamas war. The FBI has disrupted other potential attacks in the past year, demonstrating an ongoing effort to combat terrorism.