President Biden on Wednesday called on New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to “provide full federal assistance” after a truck driver killed at least 10 people celebrating New Year's Eve on Bourbon Street.
The retiring president, 82, made the call from his private residence in Wilmington, Delaware, ahead of a planned trip to Camp David in Maryland.
“Following the horrific news that a driver killed and injured dozens of people overnight in New Orleans, President Biden called New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell this morning and offered the full support of the federal government,” the White House said in a statement. '' announced.
“The President has been briefed on the latest developments by senior FBI and Department of Homeland Security leadership and the Homeland Security team, and will continue to be briefed on this incident throughout the day. The FBI is leading the investigation, and local We are working closely with local and state authorities.”
The motive of the driver who was reportedly shot dead by police was not immediately clear, but the carnage along a popular tourist street showed similarities to well-known acts of terrorism.
The FBI said in a statement Wednesday morning that it was investigating an “act of terrorism,” claiming an hour earlier that the massacre was “not a terrorist incident” even though an “improvised explosive device” had been recovered. I admitted it.
“This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing multiple people and injuring dozens. The subject has since engaged with local law enforcement and is currently… “The FBI is the lead investigative agency and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” the bureau said.
“The city of New Orleans has been affected by a terrorist attack,” Cantrell declared at a press conference before the attack.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) called the massacre an “act of pure evil” and called for accountability for the living participants in the attack.
“The heinous attack on innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans early this morning was an act of pure evil and those involved must be brought to swift justice,” Prime Minister Johnson said.
