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
Indiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Assassinate President Trump in TikTok Videos
A 23-year-old Indiana man has been arrested and charged with making threats against former President Donald Trump after allegedly posting multiple threatening videos on TikTok, federal authorities announced Thursday.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Douglas Thrams posted a series of videos between Monday—when Trump was inaugurated—and Wednesday, in which he allegedly threatened anti-government violence and called for the assassination of the former president.
In one of the videos cited in the complaint, Thrams reportedly stated, “Every U.S. government building needs to be bombed immediately.” He further escalated his rhetoric by saying, “He [Trump] needs to be assassinated, and this time, don’t… miss,” using explicit language.
Authorities noted that Thrams’ statements were particularly concerning in light of previous assassination attempts targeting Trump, including an incident last year at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the former president sustained a minor injury to his ear.
Additionally, an FBI affidavit revealed that in another video, Thrams was seen holding a rifle and tapping it, an action investigators interpreted as an implied threat.
Thrams was taken into custody on Thursday and has been charged with “interstate communications with a threat to injure,” a federal offense.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed any further potential threats. Thrams is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days.