A tragic incident in New Orleans resulted in the deaths of 15 people when a pickup truck, driven by a US Army veteran flying a Daesh flag, plowed into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in the French Quarter.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police following the attack.

Approximately 30 others were injured, including two police officers who were shot during the incident.

The attack occurred around 3:15am near the bustling intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a popular area known for its nightlife and festivities.

Authorities are investigating potential accomplices, as police discovered weapons and a possible explosive device in Jabbar’s vehicle.

Additionally, two other explosive devices were found in the French Quarter and safely neutralized by the FBI.

Due to the ongoing threat, officials postponed the Sugar Bowl, a major college football game scheduled in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, while police conducted searches in various neighborhoods for clues and further threats.

FBI officials have indicated that they do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are pursuing leads regarding his associates.

Among the victims were individuals from various backgrounds, including a mother who had recently celebrated a promotion and an aspiring nurse visiting for the holidays.

President Joe Biden condemned the attack, labeling it a “despicable” act, and mentioned that investigations are underway to determine if there is any connection to a separate incident involving a Tesla truck fire outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, although no evidence has yet linked the two.

Witnesses described the horrifying scene, with one couple recounting the chaos as they heard the truck revving and the subsequent screams of the crowd.

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At the time of the incident, about 400 officers were on duty in the area, having set up barriers to prevent vehicle access to pedestrian zones.

This attack has raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of existing measures to protect crowds from vehicle attacks.