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NEW ORLEANS, La. (WFLA) — A retired FBI agent said a deadly attack in New Orleans was a security failure.
The FBI is investigating the deadly truck attack in New Orleans as an act of terrorism. A New Year’s celebration on New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street turned deadly.
“Events that I’ve been involved with and events that I’ve seen, they’re prepared for it,” said Peter Yachmetz, retired FBI agent. “This was a failure. Somebody dropped the football.”
From what retired FBI agent Yachmetz has heard, he said this was a massive security failure.
Authorities said the suspect intentionally drove around barricades on Bourbon Street.
“It was chaos and very, very scary,” a witness said.
The attack killed at least 10 people and critically injured dozens of others.
“The perimeter of the venue, from what I’ve heard, was set up entirely too close to the main event and incorrect barriers — those orange colored plastic barriers are pretty much useless for an event such as this,” Yachmetz said.
Yachmetz said concrete barriers are more effective and preferred.
After crashing, the suspect began shooting. Police said the suspect died during a shootout with police. At least two officers were hurt.
The FBI has identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar. Police said he’s a U.S. Army veteran from Texas.
An ISIS flag was found on his rental truck. The FBI said it does not believe Jabbar was “solely responsible” for the attack and asked the public for assistance.
“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPD Superintendent.
The FBI said improvised explosive devices were found. Now the agency is working to confirm whether the devices are viable.
“That’s a weapon of mass destruction,” Yachmetz said. “How is that possible when you should have the K-9 bomb sniffing dogs walking around within the perimeter constantly from when people are allowed in? How is that possible?”
In response to the attack, the Sugar Bowl has been postponed to Thursday evening.
