Truck Used In New Orleans Terror Attack Came Through Southern Border 2 Days Ago: Report
The truck that was used to commit a terrorist attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter early on Wednesday morning reportedly came through the U.S. southern border two days ago.
“Federal law enforcement sources tell FOX, the NOLA truck came through Eagle Pass, Texas two days ago,” Fox News correspondent Aishah Hasnie reported. “The suspect’s citizenship status is not yet confirmed.”
The suspect plowed into people while driving a white pickup truck that had Texas license plates. The suspect then got out and allegedly started shooting at police before he was immediately killed by law enforcement.
At least 10 people were killed in the attack and 35 more people were injured.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell addressed the incident by calling it a “terrorist attack.” Moments later a local FBI spokesperson at the press conference said it was “not a terrorist event.”
However, the FBI released a subsequent statement clarifying that the incident was being investigated as a terrorist attack.
“This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others,” the FBI said. “The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
New Orleans Police Department chief Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was “trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”
Kirkpatrick said the driver drove past barricades to get to the crowds. The security barriers, installed in 2017 to prevent terrorist attacks in the area, were reportedly “in the midst of being replaced.”
FBI New Orleans special agent-in-charge Alethea Duncan said at least one improvised explosive device (IED) was found at the scene but authorities had not confirmed if it was “a viable device.”
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