Details of the New Orleans massacre: 15 dead, witnesses and links to Isis

New information and details emerge from the testimonies of survivors of the attack, while authorities link the bomber to extremist ideologies

As crowds gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a vehicle ploughed at full speed into pedestrians on Bourbon Street, wreaking death and destruction. The toll of the attack was tragic: at least 15 people lost their lives, while dozens of injured, some in serious condition, were transported to hospital. Kevin Garcia, one of those present, told CNN that he saw the vehicle heading towards the left side of the pavement, running over people: ‘A body flew at me,’ he said, adding that he heard gunshots immediately afterwards. Another witness, Whit Davis, was in a nearby nightclub: ‘Everyone started screaming and running towards the back of the club. When they let us out, I saw bodies and people receiving first aid,’ she said, pointing out that the police had ordered them to put their mobile phones away and leave the area quickly.

The bomber’s profile: ex-military with links to Isis

A few hours before the massacre, Shamsud-Din Jabbari, a former American soldier, had posted videos glorifying Isis on social media, openly expressing a desire to kill. According to President Joe Biden, the Texas-born bomber had planned the attack with the intention of hitting as many people as possible. After driving his pick-up truck into the crowd, Jabbari opened fire, wounding two policemen before being killed by officers in a firefight. Inside the vehicle, authorities found an Islamic State flag and potential explosive devices, elements that would confirm his connection to jihadist ideology.

The initial plans and videos that anticipated the attack

The investigation revealed that Jabbari had recorded several videos in the days leading up to the attack. In the videos, the former soldier spoke of an initial plan to reunite his family and kill them, but later changed his mind and decided to join Isis. In the videos, there are also references to dreams the man allegedly had that prompted him to carry out the attack and join the terrorist organisation. These contents are now being examined by investigators in an attempt to better understand the mastermind behind the massacre.

Investigations into possible accomplices and other attacks

Although the bomber has been identified and neutralised, the authorities do not exclude the presence of possible accomplices. According to some investigative sources, surveillance footage showed a suspicious group of four people in the area of the attack, although these individuals were later discarded as suspects. However, questions remain about possible associates of Jabbari. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate to ensure that the bomber acted alone.

Possible links between New Orleans and Las Vegas

Meanwhile, President Biden said authorities are investigating a possible connection between the New Orleans bombing and an explosion that occurred shortly after outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. A Tesla Cybertruck exploded in the hotel car park, causing one death and several injuries. Law enforcement officials are investigating any possible connection between the two incidents, although there is no concrete evidence of a direct link as yet.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)