In a startling turn of events, the FBI has reassigned an official after an error in classifying a New Orleans attack.
FBI official Alethea Duncan was reassigned following her declaration that an attack in New Orleans was "not a terrorist event," contrary to later confirmations by higher authorities, Fox News reported.
On New Year’s Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into a festive crowd in New Orleans, causing numerous casualties. The attack, later confirmed as a terrorist act, left 14 people dead and many injured. During the incident, Jabbar was found with an ISIS flag, further confirming his extremist affiliations.
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Alethea Duncan, first stated during a press conference that the attack was “not a terrorist event,” creating confusion. Her comments came at odds with later acknowledgments from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and President Biden, affirming the terrorist nature of the attack.
Despite this initial misstep, the FBI emphasized that Duncan would remain with the organization, although her exact new role hasn't been disclosed.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell presented a conflicting perspective during the same press conference as Duncan. She informed the public that New Orleans had indeed experienced a terrorist attack. Cantrell urged patience among residents as investigations continued to unfold.
Three FBI statements were released on the day of the attack, with initial reports differing significantly from later confirmations. The early confusion underscored the evolving nature of the investigation and the complex circumstances of the attack.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, age 42, traveled from Houston to New Orleans, launching his deadly plan as revellers lined Bourbon Street on January 1. Jabbar managed to smuggle explosive devices concealed in two coolers to the street, heightening the chaos of the attack.
Following his vehicular assault, Jabbar engaged in a gunfire exchange with police officers. The confrontation ultimately ended with his death. The presence of an ISIS flag in his truck provided further evidence linking the attack to extremist motives.
Subsequent investigative updates by the FBI recategorized the attack as a terror-affiliated incident. Duncan corrected her earlier statement during these updates, aligning her position with higher federal authorities.
Alethea Duncan’s initial claim that "This is not a terrorist event" was met with immediate scrutiny. After taking the lead on the investigation, she reiterated during a press conference, "We'll be taking over the investigative lead for this event. This is not a terrorist event," before the shocking revelation that it indeed involved terrorism.
Her reassignment came in the wake of this initial miscommunication, reflecting the sensitivity and significance of accurate public statements during high-stakes investigations. The FBI emphasized that while reassigned, Duncan remains a part of the agency, and she will continue contributing to federal law enforcement efforts in a new capacity.
In conclusion, the troubling New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans reaffirmed the persistent threat of terrorism on American soil. The FBI’s reassignment of Alethea Duncan followed discrepancies in their initial reporting of the event’s nature.
The attack carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar on Bourbon Street raised concerns about domestic terrorist activities and prompted rigorous investigations. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s acknowledgment and the subsequent corrections by federal authorities highlighted the intricate and fast-moving dynamics of terrorism-related investigations.
