Joe Biden Says Alleged New Orleans Attacker Supported ISIS in Social Media Videos

President Joe Biden shared that the suspect who drove a truck through a crowd of people in New Orleans on Wednesday morning had posted videos to social media in connection with the terrorist organization ISIS “mere hours before.”

Newsweek could not immediately find the videos on social media, and they have not been publicly released.

Why It Matters

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been named the suspect in the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 early Wednesday morning.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. A key line of inquiry is whether the attack was orchestrated or inspired by a foreign terrorist group.

“The FBI also reported to me that mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, especially a desire to kill,” Biden said. “The ISIS flag was found in his vehicle, which he rented to conduct this attack.”

What To Know

The attack in New Orleans occurred around 4:15 a.m. EST in the French Quarter, one of New Orleans’ busiest areas, during the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Four of the 15 deceased victims have been identified by their families: Reggie Hunter, Nikyra Dedeaux, Tiger Bech and Nicole Perez. Thirty others were injured in the attack.

“I grieve with you,” Biden said in the press conference. “Our nation grieves with you. We’re going to stand with you as you mourn and as you heal in the weeks to come.”

The New Orleans Police Department said the suspect opened fire on officers after the vehicle came to a stop. Biden thanked the enforcement “who stopped the attacker in his tracks before he could kill or injure even more people.”

The suspect was driving a Ford pickup truck, which officials said was rented through the Turo app. An ISIS flag, weapons and a potential improvised explosive devices (IED) were found in the vehicle, according to the FBI. Two additional IEDs were found earlier Wednesday morning.

Jabbar, a Houston resident, was allegedly staying at an Airbnb, which burned down earlier Wednesday, about a mile and a half away from the attacks.

Biden confirmed at the press conference from Camp David that Jabbar had served in the United States Army and was on “active duty for many years.” Jabbar had also served in the Army Reserves “until a few years ago.”

“The situation is very fluid. The investigation is at a preliminary stage,” Biden said. “The law enforcement and intelligence community continue to look for any connections, associations or coconspirators. We have nothing in addition to report at this time. The investigation continues to be active, and no one should jump to conclusions.”

What People Are Saying

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, on X, formerly Twitter: “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick: “This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil.”

Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, at a press conference: “Once the FBI has a chance to investigate all of this, working with state police, working with Homeland Security, working with the City of New Orleans, they are going to tell you what happened. I can promise you that. Or I’m going to raise fresh hell.”

What’s Next

The FBI is the lead agency in investigating the New Orleans case. Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.

Biden also noted that the FBI is looking to see if there is any connection between the New Orleans attacks and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas outside of Trump International Hotel.