WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Top law enforcement officials are briefing President Joe Biden and Congress on two deadly New Year’s Day attacks, one in New Orleans and the other at President-elect Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas.
Officials say there is no evidence that the two incidents were connected, but both investigations continue, and lawmakers are already requesting congressional hearings on them.
“This was an act of terrorism,” said Christopher Raia of the FBI.
The FBI says a U.S. Army veteran killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others when he drove a pickup truck into a Bourbon Street crowd early New Year’s Day.
“It was premeditated and an evil act,” said Raia.
The FBI says the driver, a U.S. citizen from Texas acted alone, reversing its position from a day earlier but the agency says it’s sure of his motive.
“He was 100% inspired by ISIS,” said Raia.
Police killed the driver during a shootout and found guns and explosive devices in the area.
The FBI briefed lawmakers, including New York Congressman Nick LaLota, on the investigation Thursday morning.
“This incident is very fresh,” said LaLota.
Just hours later a Tesla cybertruck exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel.
“Not all of our questions are going to be answered in the first couple of days,” said LaLota.
The New Orleans attack prompted officials to postpone the Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Notre Dame until Thursday afternoon.
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