New Orleans terror attack suspect had Isis flag in truck

At least 10 killed as driver mows down French Quarter crowd

- JUSTIN BARAGONA and ALEX CROFT

At least 10 people were killed and 35 wounded when a suspected terrorist ploughed a truck into a crowd in New Orleans' popular Bourbon Street during new year celebrations and opened fire on police.

Witnesses described appalling scenes after the vehicle rammed into revellers in the early hours of New Year’s Day, causing catastrophic injuries. New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a “terrorist attack” and the FBI said that an Isis flag was found in the vehicle.

The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas, and said it was “working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism”. The FBI said it did not believe Jabbar acted alone. Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said at a news conference that officials were actively seeking any possible associates.

Jabbar was killed by police after he exited the vehicle and opened fire on officers. Two officers were shot and are in stable condition, police said. The FBI said a potential improvised explosive device was located in the vehicle and other potential explosive devices were also located around the French Quarter. A handgun and an AR-style rifle were also recovered after the shootout.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did. It was very intentional behaviour. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”