former US Army behind the New Orleans Ambush, driven by the Islamic group

A former U.S. Army servicemember took the lives of 15 people and wounded many others after ramming a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve celebrants in the French Quarter early Wednesday. The assault, deemed an act of terrorism, was allegedly influenced by the Islamic State group.

The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, uploaded videos to social media hours before the event, swearing loyalty to ISIS and stating a wish to kill. President Joe Biden denounced the act, labeling it “abhorrent” and “atrocious,” and disclosed that the FBI retrieved the videos as part of their investigation.

The violence unfolded as the driver eluded a police roadblock, charging into the crowd on Bourbon Street before being shot and fatally struck by officers. Authorities located weapons, an IED, and the Islamic State flag in the vehicle. Further explosive devices were later found throughout the French Quarter, triggering a citywide lockdown.

The turmoil converted Bourbon Street into a horrific spectacle, with wounded victims and terrified revelers seeking shelter. The college football playoff match at the Superdome was rescheduled as a consequence of the attack. Zion Parsons, an 18-year-old in Gulfport, Mississippi, recounted the chilling experience, adding, "It was just like something you'd see in a movie."

The truck was flinging people skyward. Lifeless bodies scattered across the area, and the air was filled with screams and sobs. Parsons’ friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, was among the victims.

“This goes beyond terrorism. It’s unadulterated evil,” declared Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Superintendent. She noted that this attack was part of an unsettling trend of vehicle attacks being employed for mass violence.

This incident represents the deadliest ISIS-inspired assault on U.S. soil in years. Authorities identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas. He evaded pedestrian safety measures. "He was resolved to cause carnage," said Kirkpatrick. After leaving the vehicle and firing at officers, Jabbar was fatally shot. Two officers were wounded but are stable.

The FBI is scrutinizing potential affiliations between Jabbar and insurgent organizations. There are suspicions that he may have had help, as surveillance footage showed others placing explosives at the site. However, authorities have not identified or confirmed their connections. Investigators found pipe bombs disguised in coolers, wired for remote detonation. Jabbar wore a ballistic vest and helmet, and had an ISIS flag on his truck, along with a handgun and an AR-style rifle.