USA Biden: New Orleans attacker was inspired by IS
According to his own statements, the New Orleans attacker was motivated to carry out his attack by the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS).
02.01.2025, 02:56
SDA
He had communicated this just a few hours before the deadly attack in videos posted on social networks, said US President Joe Biden, citing information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The assassin had spoken on the recordings of being driven "by the desire to kill", said Biden.
Biden emphasizes: perpetrator was a US citizen
Biden emphasized that, according to the investigators' findings to date, the perpetrator was born in the state of Texas and was a US citizen. He had served in the US Army for "many years" and had been listed as a reservist for years afterwards. The US President also confirmed the investigators' findings that possible explosive devices had been found in the pick-up truck in which the man drove into the crowd in New Orleans on New Year's morning, as well as outside the vehicle. An IS flag was also found in the vehicle.
No known connection to explosion in front of Trump Tower
According to Biden, the investigation is also looking into whether the crime in New Orleans is connected to the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, in which one person was killed. So far there is no evidence of this, said Biden.
Biden expressed his condolences to those affected by the terror in New Orleans. "I know that I can speak for all Americans when I say that our hearts go out to the people of New Orleans after this despicable act in the early hours of this morning," said Biden. He mourned with the families and the victims. "Our country mourns with you," the Democrat said. "We stand with you as you grieve and as you heal in the weeks ahead."
