‘Pure evil!’: S.C. leaders react to New Orleans attack that killed at least 15 people

ABC Team,
Lindsey Graham, Joe Wilson, Nancy Mace

(FILE-AP Photo)

 

(WCIV) — A driver rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people in New Orleans early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 30 in what the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism.

The act of mass violence led to an outpouring from political leaders in South Carolina and around the country. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, took to social media to call for accountability.

“The attack last night in New Orleans was an act of terrorism. Pure evil,” Mace wrote. “Those responsible should get the harshest consequences humanly possible.”

 

 

The driver was killed in a firefight with police following the attack around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street in the city’s bustling French Quarter, the FBI said. Police have identified the driver as 42-year-old Shasmud-Din Jabbar, who authorities say did not act alone and that an Islamic State flag was found on the vehicle’s trailer hitch.

Mace continued: “The terrorist behind the NOLA attack carried an ISIS flag. This act of pure evil is devastating. Our hearts are with the families and innocent lives forever changed by this tragedy. May ISIS and every terrorist threat rot in hell.”

 

 

Mace’s US House colleague Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, wrote his thoughts and prayers were with the victims, their families, and the entire New Orleans community as they grieve the tragedy.

 

 

South Carolina Senior Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican who has represented the state since 2002, offered condolences to the families affected by the terror attack while also calling for accountability.

 

“All Americans are heartbroken this New Year’s Day because innocent people enjoying their lives were killed or injured in a senseless, cowardly act of terrorism. May God grant healing to the wounded and comfort to the families of the fallen,” Graham said.

“Over the last several years, we have allowed radical Islam to regain its footing in places like Afghanistan,” Graham continued. “That inevitably leads to inspired attacks against our homeland and that of our allies. To protect America, we have to keep radical Islam beaten down throughout the world. If not, we will pay a heavy price at home.”

At least 10 people were killed and dozens more were injured when Jabbar drove around a parked police vehicle on the sidewalk of Bourbon Street and went into a crowd. Upon crashing into the crowd, he got out of the truck he was driving and started shooting at responding police officers.

Jabbar was killed in a firefight with police following the attack around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter, the FBI said. Two officers were shot and are in stable condition, police said.

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.-02) also offered up prayers to those affected by the violence in a post on social media.

“Our hearts and prayers are with loved ones and first responders in New Orleans,” Wilson said. “On a day of hope and celebration, families are now suffering. Cowardly acts such as this will never stop the spirit of free people.”

 

 

Alongside South Carolina political leaders, President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump also released statements on the attack.

The White House said President Biden and the Justice Department’s Attorney General Merrick Garland have been fully briefed on the situation.

“There is no justification for violence of any kind,” Biden wrote, “and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”

Categories: News, State

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