Biden States Investigators Are Exploring Connections Between New Orleans Incident and Las Vegas Tesla Explosion
According to the president, there has been no evidence found to support such a connection.
TroibNews 
President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that the investigations into a tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans are currently "fluid," and law enforcement is looking into whether the massacre in the French Quarter is connected to the blast from a Tesla truck outside President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel.
As of now, no evidence of such a connection has been found, according to the president. Biden promised to keep the public informed "contemporaneously" as the investigation develops.
The FBI has identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as the suspect in the New Orleans attack. He drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 fatalities and over 30 injuries.
Biden issued a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that the FBI is leading the investigation, treating the incident as a terrorist attack.
The FBI reported that Jabbar had an Islamic State flag, weapons, and an improvised explosive device in his vehicle. Authorities are currently investigating how the suspect acquired the truck, which appears to be rented, and his possible affiliations with terrorist groups. The FBI also noted that potential IEDs were discovered in other locations within the French Quarter.
The Pentagon revealed that Jabbar served in the Army as a human resource and information technology specialist from March 2007 to January 2015. He subsequently became an IT specialist in the Army Reserve for five years, including a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, before leaving the military as a staff sergeant.
Biden mentioned that the FBI informed him that hours prior to the attack, Jabbar shared videos on social media expressing inspiration from the Islamic State and a desire to commit violence.
The president indicated that the FBI is actively searching for connections and individuals involved in the attack. He added on Wednesday evening that he lacked further information to provide.
“Law enforcement, the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there is any possible connection to the attack in New Orleans,” Biden said regarding the truck explosion outside Trump's hotel. “I directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to the federal, state, and local law enforcement, to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly, and make sure there's no remaining threat to the American people.”
During the press conference, Biden clarified that the driver was an American citizen originating from Texas, countering Trump's earlier claim that the attack was linked to "criminals coming in" to the United States.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
In conclusion, Biden emphasized the unique cultural richness of New Orleans, asserting that it will "never be defeated."
"New Orleans is a place unlike any other place in the world, a city full of charm and joy. So many people around the world love New Orleans because of its history, its culture and above all its people," Biden remarked. "The spirit of New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated."
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
As of now, no evidence of such a connection has been found, according to the president. Biden promised to keep the public informed "contemporaneously" as the investigation develops.
The FBI has identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as the suspect in the New Orleans attack. He drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 fatalities and over 30 injuries.
Biden issued a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that the FBI is leading the investigation, treating the incident as a terrorist attack.
The FBI reported that Jabbar had an Islamic State flag, weapons, and an improvised explosive device in his vehicle. Authorities are currently investigating how the suspect acquired the truck, which appears to be rented, and his possible affiliations with terrorist groups. The FBI also noted that potential IEDs were discovered in other locations within the French Quarter.
The Pentagon revealed that Jabbar served in the Army as a human resource and information technology specialist from March 2007 to January 2015. He subsequently became an IT specialist in the Army Reserve for five years, including a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, before leaving the military as a staff sergeant.
Biden mentioned that the FBI informed him that hours prior to the attack, Jabbar shared videos on social media expressing inspiration from the Islamic State and a desire to commit violence.
The president indicated that the FBI is actively searching for connections and individuals involved in the attack. He added on Wednesday evening that he lacked further information to provide.
“Law enforcement, the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there is any possible connection to the attack in New Orleans,” Biden said regarding the truck explosion outside Trump's hotel. “I directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to the federal, state, and local law enforcement, to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly, and make sure there's no remaining threat to the American people.”
During the press conference, Biden clarified that the driver was an American citizen originating from Texas, countering Trump's earlier claim that the attack was linked to "criminals coming in" to the United States.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
In conclusion, Biden emphasized the unique cultural richness of New Orleans, asserting that it will "never be defeated."
"New Orleans is a place unlike any other place in the world, a city full of charm and joy. So many people around the world love New Orleans because of its history, its culture and above all its people," Biden remarked. "The spirit of New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated."
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
