FBI-DHS Warns Public of ‘Copycat Attacks’ Following ISIS-Inspired Vehicle Attack in New Orleans
In the wake of the tragic New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, where 14 individuals lost their lives and dozens were injured, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a joint warning about the possibility of “copycat or retaliatory attacks.”
The assailant, identified as 42-year-old Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, a popular destination for revelers.
Jabbar, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), was subsequently killed in a shootout with police.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the potential for similar vehicle-ramming attacks.
The FBI and DHS have noted that such attacks can be carried out with minimal resources, making them appealing to lone actors inspired by extremist ideologies.
The Public Service Announcement (PSA) reads:
Summary
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are issuing this Public Service Announcement to highlight a potential public safety threat from violent extremists in response to the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As with any potential threats to the United States, we will coordinate with our state and local law enforcement partners to ensure they have the resources and information necessary to keep our communities safe.
ThreatThe FBI and DHS are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers.Previous attackers inspired by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) who have conducted vehicle attacks in the United States and abroad have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles, which are easy to acquire.Some have used additional weapons, such as firearms and knives, to attack individuals after the vehicle has stopped. Additionally, attackers may attempt to conceal and pre-position improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to supplement a vehicle attack.Targets have included pedestrians, law enforcement or military members, and crowded public venues, including festivals and commercial centers, which generally are accessible from roadways. We ask that the public remain vigilant regarding possible copycat or retaliatory attacks and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The warning comes just a week ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with district and federal authorities, assured the public that there are no known threats to Trump’s inauguration.
“We are not currently tracking any specific or credible threats to the inaugural ceremony or to the Capitol complex,” FBI special agent David Sundberg said Monday.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to share information and identify and disrupt any threat that may emerge.”
J. Thomas Manger, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, said that the primary concern is the “lone actor” threat.
“That threat of the lone actor remains the biggest justification for us maintaining this heightened state of alert throughout the next week,” Manger said.
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