(The Center Square) – New Orleans’ security measures for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl will be examined by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said on Monday.
A man drove a pickup truck into the crowd just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, killing 14 and injuring 35. The driver was killed by lawmen.
According to a news release, the investigation will examine security assessments and recommendations, funding sources for security measures, operational failures, and coordination between local, state and federal agencies.
“The people of Louisiana deserve answers,” Murrill said in a release. “We are committed to getting a full and complete picture of what was done or not done, and more importantly, what needs to change so we can prevent this from ever happening again.”
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, from Houston and a U.S. Army veteran, drove a F-150 into a crowd of revelers on New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter and tried to set off improvised explosive devices. None detonated.
Jabbar got out of the truck and was killed in a shootout with New Orleans Police officers, two of which were wounded.
The Sugar Bowl football game between Notre Dame and Georgia played at Caesar’s Superdome in the Central Business District was delayed a day because of the attack.
Murrill said she has complete support and cooperation in the investigation from New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, City Council President Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams, New Orleans Inspector General Edward Michel and Councilman Freddie King.
“The men and women of the New Orleans Police Department put their lives on the line for us every single day,” Murrill said. “It was through their bravery and quick action that this evil and cowardly terrorist was terminated before more lives were lost.
“It’s my hope that our findings will help provide our law enforcement officers and the city of New Orleans with the tools and insight they need to best ensure the safety of the community and our many visitors.”
