After the car attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, the death toll has risen to at least 15, authorities reported.
Meanwhile, new details about the perpetrator have been published. It is reportedly a 42-year-old army veteran from Texas. He served in the US Army from 2007 to 2020, both on active duty and as a reserve officer. Most recently, he was active in the real estate and IT sectors and allegedly had financial problems.
According to US media reports, the man is said to have spoken in a series of videos he recorded before the attack about planning to kill his family and having dreams that inspired him to join the “Islamic State” terror organization. A flag of the IS was found in the stolen vehicle. The exact connections of the man to the IS are currently the subject of the investigations, it was said.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning on the legendary Bourbon Street, where numerous people were gathered at the time due to the New Year’s festivities. The perpetrator reportedly died in a shootout with the police.