The New Orleans attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, planted explosives inside ice coolers in two locations in the French Quarter just hours before driving a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day, President Joe Biden revealed.
Speaking about the incident, Biden cited findings from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He explained that the attacker strategically placed remotely operated bombs in coolers at nearby locations. Later, he used a high-speed vehicle to cause further devastation.
“They have confirmed that the attacker is the same individual who planted those bombs in the coolers just hours before he drove into the crowd,” Biden said. “The FBI believes the detonator for the bombs was in the truck, allowing him to set off the explosives remotely.”
The attack was reportedly inspired by ISIS, adding a layer of concern about lone-wolf terror plots. Jabbar’s actions highlight the severity of premeditated attacks designed to maximize harm in crowded, celebratory spaces.
Authorities continue their investigation to piece together the full scope of Jabbar’s motives and potential accomplices, aiming to prevent future incidents of this nature.
