Bourbon Street Truck Rampage Fits Pattern of Terrorist Attack

What Happened?

Police in New Orleans say they found and disarmed a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the French Quarter. They have video footage of multiple people planting those IEDs.

The IEDs were found as part of a security sweep following a rampage where the driver of a truck drove through a New Year’s Eve crowd on Bourbon Street. He killed 15 people and injured dozens more.

If true, the police reports offer compelling evidence that the New Orleans incident fits the pattern of coordinated terrorist attack. Police also reported finding an ISIS flag on the truck used in the attack, but the terrorist organization has yet to claim any responsibility.

The suspect was identified by New Orleans police as an American citizen from Texas who was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Why it Matters

The Sugar Bowl, a major college football event originally planned for New Years Day, was postponed twenty-four hours to give police and law enforcement officials additional time to ensure the venue was secure and safe for the public to attend.

The delay marks the first time in the U.S. a major sporting event has been delayed solely due to an act of terrorism.

As the Associated Press reported this morning:

‘The decision to postpone the game meant numerous traveling fans with tickets would not be able to attend. Ticket prices online plummeted in some cases to less than $25 as fans with plans to depart on Thursday tried to unload them.’

Many fans who had flights to leave the next day were unable to make new travel arrangements in time and indicated they would not be able to attend the game. 

The video footage showing the IEDs being placed in the French Quarter has not been made public. But it suggests a larger attack had been planned and that the truck driver had accomplices.

The use of explosives, firearms, and a vehicle as a weapon represents a new style of attack that poses added challenges for security officials.

New Orlean’s superintendent of police said metal barriers that could have stopped the attacking vehicle were not working because they were being replaced in preparation for the upcoming Superbowl.

The driver of the truck veered around police cars in the roadway and proceeded to drive on the sidewalks.

How it Affects You

Crowded public events are popular targets for terrorist groups because they offer the potential for high casualties and lots of media attention.

Whether the perpetrators in the Bourbon Street attack have any links to terrorist groups such as ISIS remains to be seen. But such groups have long been content to inspire deadly attacks from afar rather than involve themselves in the actual planning.

Today terrorist groups use the internet to try to inspire followers around the world to plan and conduct attacks on their own, vastly increasing their potential reach.