USA Coroner: 15 fatalities in New Orleans
Following the suspected terrorist attack in New Orleans, the death toll has risen to 15. This was reported by several US media outlets with reference to information from the city's coroner, Dwight McKenna. According to this, the death toll could rise even further.
02.01.2025, 01:32
SDA
It will take several days to autopsy all the victims, McKenna reportedly said. Their names will not be released until all autopsies have been completed and relatives have been informed. The coroner's office is working with local police, federal investigators from the FBI and the Border Patrol.
Perpetrator chose popular nightlife district for his attack
A few hours after midnight on New Year's morning in the southern US metropolis, a man drove a pick-up truck through a crowd of partying passers-by in the popular French Quarter nightlife district. According to the police, 35 people were injured in addition to the numerous fatalities. According to the report, the perpetrator exchanged gunfire with police officers after driving off. Two of them were injured and the perpetrator himself was killed in the fight.
At midday (local time), the FBI then published details of the possible background to the suspected attack: according to the report, investigators found a flag of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), which has already claimed responsibility for several attacks involving vehicles, in the suspect's vehicle. Weapons were also found in the pick-up truck. In addition, several suspicious finds were made in the vehicle and in the neighborhood, which could be homemade explosive devices. It is currently being investigated whether these could really have been detonated.
According to the FBI, the perpetrator named Shamsud-Din J. is a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas. Possible accomplices are being sought, it said.
