Tragedy in New Orleans as a man plows through a crowd on Bourbon Street with his pickup truck, killing at least 15 people and injuring 35 others. It happened shortly after three this morning; the man turned onto Bourbon Street from Canal Street; the area is always bustling with people. Police Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick says this was an intentional act.
Cut 1 (16) “…he possibly could.”
The FBI has identified the man as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, and they say he’s a U.S. citizen from Texas. They say the Ford pickup truck he was driving had been rented. Jabbar reportedly had an ISIS flag inside the truck. The FBI did not make any mention of that in its release, but it did say weapons and a potential improvised explosive device were found in the truck. Other potential IEDs were also found in the French Quarter. Kirkpatrick says Jabbar was intent on killing as many people as possible.
Kirkpatrick says Jabbar exchanged gunfire with officers.
Cut 3 (12) “…they are stable.”
Bourbon Street attracts tourists all 365 days a year; even more so right now, with Georgia and Notre Dame getting set to play in the Sugar Bowl tonight. Police Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick says given the fact that this happened after three o’clock this morning, many tourists had likely left the area.
Cut 4 (14) “…locals versus tourists.”
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spoke at a news conference early this morning in the immediate aftermath of the incident on Bourbon Street.
Cut 5 (07) “…still under investigation.”
Mayor Cantrell says her heart goes out to everyone affected by what happened on Bourbon Street.
Cut 6 (09) “…to this tragedy.”
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FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan says the driver was intent on killing as many people as possible before police stopped him.
Duncan says investigators have identified the man as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas.
Cut 8 (11) “…with terrorist organizations.”
Duncan says agents found weapons inside Jabbar’s pickup truck, and that’s not all.
Cut 9 (09) “…the French Quarter.”
Duncan says agents are looking for additional suspects.
Cut 10 (07) “…his known associates.”
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Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency in response to the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Landry says this will allow for utilizing all available state resources ahead of Super Bowl 59 and Mardi Gras. Landry says his administration is committed to providing every resource necessary to keep everyone who visits and lives in the state safe…
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A Baton Rouge father of two is among the ten people dead. A University of Georgia student is among the critically injured.
St. Thomas More Athletics Director Kim Broussard has confirmed that former STM football player Tiger Bech is one of the individuals killed in the terrorist attack. Bech played college football at Princeton and his younger brother played at LSU and starred at TCU this season. Tiger Bech was just 28.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill….