Feds issue warning about threat of "copycat attacks" after New Orleans
WASHINGTON - The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are warning that "violent extremists" may be inspired to commit attacks similar to the deadly New Year’s Day rampage in New Orleans.
A bulletin issued Monday urged Americans to be on the lookout for possible copycat vehicle attacks targeting "crowded public venues, including festivals and commercial centers."
Bulletin warns of threat
What we know:
The joint memo – titled "Threat of Copycat Attacks after ISIS-Inspired Vehicle Attack in New Orleans" says that the agencies are "concerned" about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks "due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers."
They note that vehicles are easy to acquire and have already been used as weapons against crowds and pedestrians, both in the U.S. and around the world.
What we don't know:
Is there a specific threat, and if so, who is it? The agencies say they don’t have anything specific to be on the lookout for, and it’s not clear at this time if the warning was based on any specific, new threat or plot uncovered by investigators.
What they're saying:
"Due to the highly personal nature of radicalization to violence and mobilization to violence, it can be difficult to assess specific characteristics indicating the intent of US-based violent extremists to conduct violence," the memo notes.
What you can do:
The bulletin stopped short of encouraging Americans to avoid crowds or gatherings, instead urging citizens to "remain vigilant" and report anything suspicious to law enforcement.
File: Police, ATF and FBI agents are seen outside of a house where a fire took place on Mandeville Street that is connected to the Bourbon Street terrorist attack in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu vi
Deadly attack in New Orleans
The backstory:
A terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day killed 14 people and injured more than 30 others.
The attack involved a man identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowing a truck down Bourbon Street into a crowd.
Jabbar, a former U.S. Army soldier from Texas, was later killed during an exchange of gunfire with police. He had proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before he struck.
The FBI released screenshots from surveillance footage showing Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before the truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans early on Jan. 1, 2025. (Credit: Federal Bureau of Investigation)
What's next:
The investigation is continuing into Jabbar’s motives and how he carried out the attack. Meanwhile, New Orleans is enhancing security in the French Quarter for Carnival season, which began last week, and the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
Police have used multiple vehicles and barricades to block traffic at Bourbon and Canal streets since the attack. Other law enforcement agencies helped city officers provide extra security.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the FBI and DHS bulletin, along with background from previous FOX Television Stations reporting and Associated Press reporting.