Terrorist attack in USA: Biden: New Orleans attacker was inspired by IS

According to his own statements, the New Orleans attacker was persuaded to carry out his attack by the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). He said this just a few hours before the fatal attack in videos that were posted on social networks, said US President Joe Biden, citing information from the Federal Police Agency (FBI). The assassin spoke in the recordings about being driven “by the desire to kill,” Biden said.

Biden emphasizes: the perpetrator was a US citizen

Biden emphasized that, according to investigators’ current findings, the perpetrator was born in the state of Texas and was a US citizen. He served in the US Army for “many years” and was then listed as a reservist for years. The US President also confirmed investigators’ findings that possible explosive devices were found in the pickup truck in which the man drove into the crowd in New Orleans on New Year’s morning, as well as outside the vehicle. There was also an IS flag in the car.

No connection to explosion in front of Trump Tower known

According to Biden, it is also being investigated whether the crime in New Orleans is related to the explosion of a Tesla cyber truck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, in which one person was killed. So far there is no evidence of this, said Biden.

Biden expressed his condolences to those affected by the terror in New Orleans. “I know I can speak for all Americans when I say that after this despicable act in the early hours of this morning, our hearts go out to the people of New Orleans,” Biden said. He mourns with the relatives and the victims. “Our country mourns with you,” said the Democrat. “We stand by your side as you grieve and as you heal in the coming weeks.”