The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security have issued a warning to Americans, to stay alert of potential ‘copycat’ attacks in the country following the ISIS-inspired vehicle ramming incident in New Orleans on new year day. The New Orleans attack killed 14 people and injured over 30 others. A joint memo has been issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security titled ‘Threat of Copycat Attacks After ISIS-Inspired Vehicle Attack in New Orleans’.
The warning by the agencies reads, “The FBI and DHS are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers. Previous attackers inspired by foreign terrorist organizations who have conducted vehicle attacks in the United States and abroad have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles, which are easy to acquire.”
FBI and the Dept of Homeland Security further said, “Targets have included pedestrians, law enforcement or military members, and crowded public venues, including festivals and commercial centers, which generally are accessible from roadways. We ask that the public remain vigilant regarding possible copycat or retaliatory attacks and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
The new year day for people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans turned tragic following an individual drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people in early hours of the day, killing 14 people and injuring over 30 others. After hitting the crowd, he exited the vehicle and fired upon local law enforcement. Law enforcement returned fire, and the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The accused has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former army soldier and 42-year-old US citizen from Texas. The attack on new year day was termed as a terror attack following an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle and federal authorities searching Jabbar’s Houston home found a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials believed to have been used to make explosive devices. Jabbar had suspected bomb-making materials at his home and reserved the vehicle used in the attack more than six weeks earlier, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.
Comments