New details have emerged about the suspect in the New Orleans terror attack that occurred on Saturday, October 13. According to sources, the suspect, 21-year-old Malik Firas Alkhatib, was born in Jordan and had been living in the United States for several years.
Alkhatib was taken into custody on Sunday after a lengthy standoff with police, during which he reportedly fired shots at officers and hurled Molotov cocktails at them. The standoff began after Alkhatib allegedly opened fire on a group of people at a homeless shelter in the city’s Central Business District.
Authorities have said that Alkhatib was inspired by extremist ideologies and had planned the attack for several months. He had also been posting inflammatory messages on social media, including a photo of himself holding a rifle and wearing a military-style uniform.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson described Alkhatib as a “domestic terrorist” and said that he had a “clear intention to harm people.” The attack has left two people dead and multiple others injured.
Alkhatib’s motive for the attack is still unclear, but investigators believe that he may have been motivated by a desire to spread fear and chaos in the city. The FBI is working closely with local authorities to investigate the attack and determine the full extent of Alkhatib’s plans.
As the investigation continues, the people of New Orleans are left to grapple with the senseless violence that has shaken their city. The attack has raised concerns about the growing threat of domestic terrorism in the United States and the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
