Perry Stein, a Justice Department reporter for The Washington Post, shares his insights on the brutal truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. He discusses the attacker’s background as a radicalized Army veteran and the presence of an ISIS flag in his vehicle. The conversation shifts to a similar incident in Las Vegas, raising questions about motivations behind these acts. Stein emphasizes the importance of understanding these attacks to enhance public safety and explore the evolving tactics of extremist groups.
The attack in New Orleans, involving a truck driven into a crowd, is linked to acts of terrorism as the assailant had ties to ISIS.
In response to the incident, officials are evaluating security measures for public events to enhance safety and prevent future tragedies.
Deep dives
Terror Attack in New Orleans
A man drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and over 35 injuries. The attacker, identified as Shamsuddin Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, engaged in a shootout with police before being killed. Witness accounts describe a scene of chaos, with bystanders encountering gunfire and panic as they attempted to escape. The incident is being treated as an act of terrorism, with the FBI actively investigating Jabbar's motivations and connections to extremist groups.
Investigation into Extremism
The FBI is examining possible links between Jabbar and ISIS, as he was found with an ISIS flag in his vehicle and had posted videos expressing violent intentions shortly before the attack. Law enforcement is concerned about the ongoing threat posed by radicalization within the U.S., underscored by other thwarted attacks linked to extremist individuals. There are questions regarding Jabbar's contacts with ISIS and whether he expressed his violent intent to anyone prior to the incident. This ongoing investigation may shed light on how domestic motivations intersect with international extremist ideologies.
Public Safety Concerns and Future Events
In the wake of the attack, authorities are reassessing security measures for large public gatherings, especially with upcoming events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Officials are working on implementing physical barriers to prevent vehicles from accessing crowded areas, although some upgrades had not yet been completed. Law enforcement aims to reassure the public of their safety amidst heightened security threats and the investigation's fluid nature. With incidents like this, there are broader concerns about public safety and how fear of future attacks might influence attendance at large gatherings.
Early in the morning on New Year’s Day, a man drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In the hours since, law enforcement has discovered key details that point to a possible motive, including an Islamic State flag in the attacker’s car.
We also talk about the investigation into a possible attack in Las Vegas with some eerie similarities, though no known connection.
Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Emma Talkoff and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Maggie Penman with help from Monica Campbell and Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sam Bair.