New Orleans attacker was ‘very well prepared’ as ex-intelligence officer warns of ‘copycat’ incidents
A former senior military intelligence officer has warned that the New Orleans attacker appeared to be “well prepared” as authorities continue to investigate the deadly incident.
Speaking to GB News, Philip Ingram highlighted the attacker’s level of preparation, noting the use of a large truck and firearms.
“He’s clearly come very well prepared, he’s chosen a big truck, he’s come armed because he’s shot the police officers,” Ingram said.
The intelligence expert pointed to the discovery of “suspected improvised explosive devices that the FBI are having to deal with,” suggesting authorities are “dealing with a live risk at the moment.”
The attack occurred early Wednesday morning when a truck drove into New Year’s Eve crowds on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 others were injured in the incident, according to FBI and city officials.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed the driver deliberately targeted the crowd before exiting the vehicle and opening fire.
“He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did… This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” Kirkpatrick said.
Ingram emphasised that the immediate priority for law enforcement is securing the area.
“The police are concentrating on making sure the area is secure from an evidential perspective,” he told GB News.
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The former intelligence officer noted the chaotic nature of the early response, explaining that confusion was typical in such incidents.
“3am in the morning when this happened in a crowded street, the first instinct of the first responders that are going in are to try and deal with the casualties,” he said.
He cautioned against speculation, adding: “It’s very, very easy to speculate on very little information, but the bottom line is it’s all speculation.”
Ingram drew comparisons to a recent attack in Magdeburg, Germany, where five people were killed and 200 injured on December 20.
“This could be a copycat of the tragic attack that we saw in Magdeburg,” he said, expressing concern that such incidents often stimulate similar attacks.
The former intelligence officer criticised the security measures in New Orleans, particularly regarding the positioning of barriers.
“What shocked me was the chief of police turning around and saying the individual drove around the barriers that they had in place. That tells me that the barriers weren’t sited properly,” he said.
He referenced ongoing efforts in the UK to improve public safety through Martyn’s Law, which recently had its third reading in the House of Commons. “We are waiting for a new piece of legislation to enable us to do that,” Ingram added.