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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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The driver who plowed into crowds in New Orleans was flying an ISIS flag on his truck, the FBI confirmed today.
Scene photos had captured the flag on the back of the truck moments after the incident, but the flag had been wrapped up. Only a little of the white markings could be seen on the black cloth, sparking speculation and theories about the "terrorist attack."
New Hampshire Republican representative James Spillane said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "The attacker was flying a flag from the back of his pickup truck. Truck has Texas plates. Police covered up the flag with a jacket immediately! What flag is it???"
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Newsweek has reached out to the New Orleans Police Department and the FBI by phone for comment.
Why It Matters
Online speculation and unverified information around the nature of an attack such as this has the potential to fuel conspiracy theories and even spark further violence.
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What to know
At least 12 people were killed and 30 injured when a truck crashed into crowds of New Orleans revelers early on New Year's Day.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, after bodies were left strewn on New Orleans' popular Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, busy with thousands of people celebrating New Year's Eve.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, was shot dead at the scene.
Investigators are now looking into the suspect's religious and political affiliations, including if he was associated with a known terrorist organization, law enforcement sources told CNN.
The FBI has said it doesn't believe Jabbar was working alone after surveillance footage captured three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices in the French Quarter.
It is the second time that someone has used a vehicle as a weapon to kill and injure people during the holiday season. On December 20, a psychiatrist drove his car into a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing five people and injuring hundreds. The attacker in this case was believed to be anti-Islamist.
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The truck that deliberately drove into the crowds on Bourbon Street was flying a black and white flag prompting several members of Congress to demand answers. They also criticized police for apparently covering it up following the crash.
Political commentators have also pointed out the similarities between the flag on the truck, which had a Texas license plate, and the ISIS flag.
The terrorist group's flag is black and features white Arabic text that states, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger."
There is also a white circle containing black Arabic text.
Police said the suspected driver was "hell bent on creating the carnage he did" during the incident, which took place around 3:15 a.m. local time. He had also opened fire on officers.
The FBI said an improvised explosive device (IED) was also found at the scene.
What They Are Saying
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R, Georgia), posted on X, "Photo of truck driven through the crowd of innocent people in New Orleans. Texas plates. Release his name. Now. What is on the flag pole on the back of the truck? Looks like they may have covered up a flag or what is it? The truth needs to come out asap."
Rogan O'Handley, a former entertainment lawyer-turned-political commentator, better known as DC Draino, said today, "On the left is a black flag on the back of the New Orleans terror suspect's truck It looks like police zip tied the flag closed but you can see it's a black flag with white markings On the right is the ISIS flag, which is black w/white markings Time will tell which flag it is."
Laura Loomer, a Donald Trump ally and rightwing political activist, posted on X, "So uh, what's that black flag on the back of the truck used by the terrorist who committed a terrorist attack in New Orleans today? Is that a black ISIS flag?"
Sean Feucht, A Christian singer, songwriter, and founder of the Let Us Worship movement, said, "The New Orleans terrorist had a flag on the back of his truck that the police closed and zip tied. You can see the black with white markings are eerily similar to the ISIS flag on the right that was commonly mounted on white trucks throughout Iraq and Syria. It's time to start asking these questions.
Lt Gov Billy Nungesser told local news that he had been asked to confirm that the truck was flying an ISIS flag, "I do not know that for a fact. I don't want to start a rumor... He asked me to confirm that which I could not do."
What happens next
The FBI and New Orleans Police Department are investigating the incident and the identity of the driver.
A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon to provide updates on the case.
Bourbon Street remains closed.
Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI's New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.
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