Truck Used in Bourbon Street Attack Crossed Border Just Over Month Ago — Investigators Look Into Suspect ISIS Ties: Reports
Update: Fox News has since updating its reporting to note that the truck, which was obtained by the suspect on a rental app, was being driven by another individual when it crossed the southern border.
The truck bearing Texas plates and an ISIS flag that was used in the Bourbon Street attack in New Orleans on Wednesday crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in November and investigators are examining the suspect’s links to the terror group, according to emerging reports.
Following New Year’s Eve celebrations on Wednesday 10 people were killed and dozens injured after a man intentionally drove the vehicle through gathered crowds at approximately 4:15 a.m. ET. The man then exited the vehicle brandishing an assault rifle but was killed by police. Multiple sources also told ABC News that viable explosive devices were discovered near the attack site.
In one major development, two law enforcement sources have since revealed to Fox News that the same truck, bearing Texas plates, was recorded crossing from Mexico into the United States at Eagle Pass, Texas, in the month before the attack.
As the FBI conducts its investigation of the incident as an act of terrorism, it remains unclear if the now-deceased suspect was the individual behind the wheel at the border crossing, although sources said to Fox News that the attacker was not believed to be in the vehicle at the time. The attacker’s immigration status remains unconfirmed as well.
Investigators are working to determine whether the deceased suspect entered the country recently and whether he had a connection to ISIS, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on Wednesday calling the incident an “act of pure evil” and blamed border policy for “criminals coming in” to the country.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country,” he wrote. “That statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true.”
He continued: “Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones … The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”
