Why the FBI Investigates the Bourbon Street Attack as Terror-Related

According to the FBI, international terrorism refers to acts of violence inspired by foreign terrorist collectives, whereas domestic terrorism encompasses violence that aims to push ideological agendas or intimidate citizens.

In the immediate chaos that followed the New Orleans tragedy, which claimed over ten lives and injured many more, there was uncertainty about labeling it as a terrorist incident. Initially, New Orleans' mayor classified it as such, however, a local FBI representative initially disagreed. Subsequent statements by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and federal FBI officials declared the investigation would proceed under the assumption of terrorism.

This incident involved a male suspect driving a pickup truck into the crowd gathered on Bourbon Street during New Year's celebrations around 3:15 a.m. on a Wednesday. The perpetrator was identified by several authorities as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

The FBI generally opts for cautious public communication until the investigation reveals more about a suspect's motivations. However, on the day of the attack, they acknowledged that emerging details, such as an improvised explosive device found in a cooler near the suspect's vehicle, pointed more toward a terrorist attack. The dual use of a vehicle and a bomb appeared to suggest the assailant's intent to inflict mass harm on civilians.

Understanding Terrorism from a Legal Perspective

Public perceptions often tie the concept of terrorism to particular violent methods, like vehicular attacks, shootings, or bombings that target unsuspecting civilians. In contrast, legal authorities, including investigators and prosecutors, emphasize that the underlying motive or ideology plays a crucial role in how terrorism is officially defined.