The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a warning on Monday of “possible copycat or retaliatory attacks” similar to the ISIS-inspired New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, which left 14 dead and dozens wounded.
Fox News reported that the FBI and DHS warning was issued on Monday to roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country in light of the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans.
“The 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,” the joint FBI and DHS warning stated.
“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.”
The FBI and DHS explained that previous attackers involved in “vehicle ramming” incidents have also used weapons such as knives and firearms to “attack individuals after the vehicle has stopped.”
The warning added that potential attackers could also try to “conceal and pre-position improvised explosive devices” in addition to carrying out a “vehicle attack.”
In Monday’s warning, the FBI and DHS explained that the public service announcement was being issued to “highlight a potential public safety threat from violent extremists” following the terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The agencies noted that the federal government would coordinate with state and local law enforcement agencies to “ensure they have the resources and information necessary to keep our communities safe.”
The FBI and DHS warned that “vehicle ramming” attacks have targeted law enforcement officials, military members, pedestrians, and crowded public venues, such as commercial centres and festivals.
The agencies added, “We ask that the public remain vigilant regarding possible copycat or retaliatory attacks and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
According to The Daily Wire, the 42-year-old Army veteran identified as the suspect in the New Orleans terrorist attack was recorded shooting at police officers after driving his truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.
The outlet noted that the terrorist suspect had also placed improvised explosive devices on Bourbon Street; however, the explosives were not detonated, and the suspect was shot and killed by local law enforcement officials, who discovered a detonation transmitter and an ISIS flag in the suspect’s truck.
The Daily Wire reported that the New Orleans terrorist attack was the deadliest U.S. terrorist attack since 2016.