Biden describes attack 'despicable,' grieving with the families, nation over deceased people
US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he has directed his senior officials "to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible" after a truck-ramming attack in New Orleans' historic French Quarter killed 15 people.
In his address to the nation, Biden described the attack “despicable" and said: "I want you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you as you mourn and as you heal."
Biden said he has been "continually briefed" by his senior law enforcement and national security officials throughout the morning "regarding the horrific incident" that unfolded early Wednesday morning, and expressed gratitude to local police whose response prevented "even greater death and injury."
"I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind," the president said in a statement.
"I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities," he added.
At least 15 people were killed when a truck plowed through the heart of the French Quarter around 3.15 a.m. (0915GMT) Wednesday morning. The storied area is popular with tourists and is a hotspot for celebrations around major holidays, especially New Year's Eve.
Earlier, 35 other people were also reported injured.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the fatal incident during a news conference as a "terrorist attack."
The FBI identified the suspect accused of ramming a pickup truck into New Year's partygoers early Wednesday morning as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen and Army veteran.
