President Biden said Wednesday that the gunman who killed at least 15 people in New Orleans posted a video on social media hours earlier that showed he was inspired by ISIS.
Biden gave a short speech at Camp David in the wake of the early New Year's Day attack in New Orleans and the explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. He denounced the New Orleans attack as “despicable” and said authorities were investigating whether the incidents in Louisiana and Nevada were related.
“The FBI is leading the investigation to determine what happened, why it happened, and whether there is an ongoing threat to public safety,” Biden said.
The president said the perpetrator of the New Orleans attack, identified by the FBI as Shamsuddin Jabbar, 42, is a Texas-born American citizen who served in the Army Reserve.
“Hours before the attack, Biden posted a video on social media that showed he was inspired by Islamic State, specifically a murderous desire,” Biden said.
The investigation is ongoing and Biden warned the public not to jump to conclusions. Officials from the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and FBI are working to gather more information.
Authorities say at least 15 people were killed in the attack in New Orleans. Federal law enforcement is investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism” after a truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street early on New Year's Day.
In addition to what appeared to be weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle, which appeared to be a rental car he was driving.
“To all the people of New Orleans who are grieving today, I want you to know that I grieve with you, and our country grieves with you, as you grieve and heal in the coming weeks,” Biden said. “We are with you all,” he said.
In addition to the New Orleans attack, authorities are also investigating the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. One person inside the car was killed and seven others suffered minor injuries, authorities said.
And the FBI in Houston announced Wednesday afternoon that it was “conducting law enforcement operations” north of the city in connection with the New Orleans attack.
