Questions are arising regarding the adequacy of security measures in New Orleans after a driver mowed over dozens of pedestrians on the French Quarter early Wednesday, killing 14. The attacker was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police.
There are concerns about why there were not more permanent barricades in place that would have prevented the driver from being able to speed down in a truck, one of the many security questions that have yet to be answered as this investigation continues.
According to reports from multiple sources, permanent bollards in the area were not active at the time of the attack. Some were being renovated ahead of the Super Bowl, which will take place in New Orleans on February 9.
"Bollards were not up because they are near completion, with the expectation of being completed by Super Bowl,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. "Because the City of New Orleans is hosting Super Bowl this year, it gave the City of New Orleans an opportunity to go further and deeper with infrastructure improvements."
Bourbon Street reopened on Thursday with much fanfare, including a brass band performance, but the victims remained in the community's thoughts. A memorial has been established featuring 14 yellow roses, Mardi Gras beads, candles, and a cross.
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Temporary barriers have been erected on Bourbon Street to prevent a repeat attack, although officials believe the attacker in Wednesday's terrorist incident acted alone.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday released new details of its investigation into the attack.
The FBI searched a short-term rental property in New Orleans and the home address of Shamsud-Din Jabbar in Houston, Texas, and found bomb-making materials at both locations.
Officials say firefighters responded to a fire at the rental property where Jabbar was staying after the attack took place. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms believes Jabbar set the fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The FBI says Jabbar attempted to use a transmitter to trigger explosive devices that were meant to explode on Bourbon Street as part of the attack. The FBI is now analyzing the transmitter, the two explosive devices and other materials related to the attack.
The investigation is ongoing with over 1,000 law enforcement officers involved, officials said.
On Thursday, the Federal Bureau of Investigations released new photos of the attacker taken an hour before the incident, showing him in a long brown coat and black glasses. The FBI said the attacker was seen placing pipe bombs along the French Quarter.
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