Crime
New Orleans car-ramming terrorist attack: Flagpole on the back of truck sparking mass speculation
Per law enforcement sources, a long gun has been recovered from scene.
A tragic New Year’s celebration in New Orleans turned into a mass casualty event when a white electric Ford SUV rammed into a crowd of revelers in the French Quarter, killing 10 people and injuring 30 others.
The incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. on Bourbon Street, during festivities to ring in 2025.
Attention has turned to the suspect’s vehicle following the attack. Images of the SUV taken after the collision show what appears to be a metallic gray jacket wrapped around a flagpole mounted on the back of the vehicle.
Earlier video footage from the same morning suggests a black flag was dangling from the same pole before the attack.
It remains unclear whether the pole or any associated objects were placed on the SUV prior to or after the heinous act.
This detail has sparked significant online speculation as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
After driving into the crowd, the unnamed suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire, injuring two New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers.
The officers, both in stable condition, returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
Authorities described the driver’s actions as demonstrating “very intentional behavior,” indicating premeditation. Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the attack and whether the suspect acted alone.
During the investigation, an improvised explosive device (IED) was found near the attack site. At approximately 8:30 a.m., a “small explosion” was reported in the French Quarter, which officials confirmed was a controlled detonation by the bomb squad to neutralize the device.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the incident as a “terrorist attack” during an initial briefing and confirmed she has spoken with the White House regarding the situation.
The FBI has taken over the investigation, formally classifying the event as an act of terrorism.
The suspect’s identity remains undisclosed as the investigation continues. Officials are focusing on the SUV, the mysterious object attached to it, and the IED to determine their significance in the attack.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that might assist in the investigation. Updates are expected as more evidence is analyzed and officials work to bring clarity to this senseless act of violence.
Crime
Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting Suspect Identified as 16-Year-Old John Griffin, Who was shot and killed by Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — The suspect in the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has been identified in preliminary reports as 16-year-old John J. Griffin, according to information provided for this report. Kaylub Giamanco has also been identified in the supplied account as the bystander who reportedly confronted and shot the teenage suspect during the October 15, 2026, incident.
According to a family member who spoke with Channel2 NOW, Giamanco was returning home during his lunch break when he encountered the emergency near the school, where his two daughters reportedly attend classes. He lives nearby and allegedly rushed toward the school after hearing gunshots and realizing that children, including his daughters, could be in danger.
Giamanco’s reported intervention has prompted expressions of gratitude and calls for him to be recognized for his actions. However, the suspect’s identity, Giamanco’s role and the precise sequence of events should be confirmed through official statements before being presented as established facts.
The account provided to Channel2 NOW describes Giamanco as a father who was returning home during his lunch break when the shooting unfolded. After hearing gunfire near Silver Rail Elementary School, he reportedly saw the suspected shooter moving toward or entering the building.
Because his two daughters attended the school, Giamanco allegedly ran toward the scene rather than away from it. Preliminary accounts say he confronted the suspect and shot him, and the 16-year-old reportedly died.
The supplied information does not independently establish the exact location of the confrontation, the actions of those involved immediately beforehand or whether investigators have formally confirmed Giamanco’s identity as the person who shot the suspect.
Nevertheless, the account has drawn strong emotional reactions from people who view his reported actions as an attempt to protect his daughters and other children inside the school.
Some supporters have called for Giamanco to receive a medal or other formal recognition. Any official commendation, however, would need to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
The supplied report identifies John J. Griffin, 16, as the suspected shooter in the Silver Rail Elementary School attack. The available information describes him as a Bend resident and alleges that a shotgun was used during the incident.
The reported circumstances surrounding Griffin’s death remain an important part of the investigation. Early accounts indicate that a bystander shot the suspect during the emergency, but investigators would need to confirm the individual’s identity and establish the precise sequence of events.
The suspect’s identification and the circumstances of the shooting should be attributed to law enforcement once an official statement is available.
The October 15 shooting prompted a major emergency response and left the community grieving. Preliminary information supplied for this report indicates that four victims—three children and one adult—were killed. The suspected shooter was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer was identified in the supplied information as the first named victim. Two other children, reportedly ages 8 and 11, were also described as having died. An adult teacher was reported among the victims.
Two additional people—a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher—were reportedly transported for medical treatment in critical condition.
The identities of the other victims, the final casualty figures and the latest conditions of the injured people require confirmation from law enforcement or the appropriate authorities. The information available for this article does not establish that the teacher who died was killed while protecting students, so that characterization should not be presented as confirmed.
Bend police reportedly issued an active-shooter alert at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, warning the public of a major law enforcement presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and urging people to avoid the surrounding area.
Police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the campus. Nearby schools, including Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary, were reportedly placed under lockdown as a precaution.
Authorities also designated Journey Church, located at 61303 S Highway 97 near Goodwill and Dairy Queen, as a family reunification location. Parents and guardians were directed there to reconnect with students and receive information during the emergency response.
The reported deaths of children and an adult educator have left families and the wider Bend community facing an immense tragedy. Rhoam Summer, just 5 years old, has become one of the first children named in the reports surrounding the shooting.
As the investigation continues, families are waiting for verified information and the opportunity to grieve their loved ones. Those affected by the shooting may also face a difficult period of emotional recovery.
Giamanco’s reported actions have added another dimension to the story, with supporters expressing gratitude for a father who allegedly rushed toward danger after hearing gunshots near the school attended by his daughters. His family’s experience and the well-being of his children also deserve consideration as details emerge.
🙏💔 Our thoughts are with the families of Rhoam Summer and the other reported victims, the injured child and teacher, and everyone affected by this devastating incident. May those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength and support during this heartbreaking time.