FBI Warns of Copycat Attacks

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a warning to law enforcement agencies across the United States, cautioning of potential copycat or retaliatory attacks similar to the recent ISIS-inspired terrorist incident in New Orleans, Louisiana. The warning, sent to approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies on Monday, comes in the wake of a devastating attack on New Year's Day that left 14 people dead and dozens wounded.

According to the joint FBI and DHS warning, the agencies are concerned about the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers. Previous attackers inspired by foreign terrorist organizations have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles to carry out attacks, highlighting the ease of acquiring such vehicles.

The warning also notes that attackers involved in vehicle ramming incidents have used additional weapons, such as knives and firearms, to attack individuals after the vehicle has stopped. Furthermore, potential attackers may attempt to conceal and pre-position improvised explosive devices in addition to carrying out a vehicle attack.

The FBI and DHS emphasized that the public service announcement aims to highlight a potential public safety threat from violent extremists following the New Orleans terrorist attack. The federal government will coordinate with state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure they have the necessary resources and information to keep communities safe.

The agencies warned that vehicle ramming attacks have targeted law enforcement officials, military members, pedestrians, and crowded public venues, such as commercial centers and festivals. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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In the New Orleans incident, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove his truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street on New Year's Day. He was also recorded shooting at police officers and had placed improvised explosive devices on the street, which were not detonated. 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 attack was the deadliest U.S. terrorist attack since 2016.