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President Biden on Wednesday said the individual who carried out an attack in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people posted videos on social media hours earlier indicating they were inspired by ISIS.
Biden delivered brief remarks from Camp David following an attack in New Orleans in the early hours of New Year’s Day, as well as an explosion outside a Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. He condemned the New Orleans attack as “despicable” and said authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between the events in Louisiana and in Nevada.
“The FBI is leading the investigation to determine what happened, why it happened and whether there’s any continuing threat to public safety,” Biden said.
The president said the individual who carried out the New Orleans attack, identified by the FBI as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was an American citizen born in Texas who served in the Army Reserves.
“Hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, especially a desire to kill,” Biden said.
The investigation is ongoing, and Biden cautioned the public against jumping to conclusions. Officials in the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and at the FBI are working to gather more information.
Authorities have said at least 15 people were killed in the attack in New Orleans. Federal law enforcement is investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism” after a truck was driven into crowds on Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle he drove, which appeared to be rented, in addition to weapons and a suspected improvised explosive device (IED).
“To all the people in New Orleans grieving today, I want you to know I grieve with you, our nation grieves with you, we will stand with you as you mourn and heal in the weeks to come,” Biden said.
In addition to the attack in New Orleans, officials are investigating an explosion outside of the Trump hotel in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck. Authorities said one individual inside the vehicle died, while seven others sustained minor injuries.
And the FBI in Houston announced on Wednesday afternoon that it was “conducting law enforcement activity” in the north part of the city in connection with the New Orleans attack.
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