New Orleans terror attack: What we know Monday
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Louis Tenedorio, father of Bourbon Street terror attack victim Matthew Tenedorio, embraces family friend Angelique Whittington (L) in front of a memorial on Bourbon Street at Canal Street on Saturday. Photo: Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
President Biden is visiting New Orleans Monday to grieve with the families of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack.
Why it matters: All 14 victims have been identified in the ISIS-inspired truck attack that injured at least 35 more people.
The big picture: Mayor LaToya Cantrell said she and Gov. Jeff Landry are scheduled to talk with the president during his visit about security efforts in the city.
- She's requested a tactical expert to visit the city this week to review the security plans for Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl.
- The president and First Lady Jill Biden also will attend a public prayer service at 6pm at St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter, according to the White House.
The latest: On Monday, the mayor told the crowd at her annual Mardi Gras kickoff event that the president granted the city's request to increase the security threat level this year for Carnival, according to NOLA.com.
- The season now has the highest potential threat rating for an event, giving New Orleans to get extensive federal support.
- Multiple parades are scheduled tonight, including the Joan of Arc procession.
- Carnival culminates on Mardi Gras, which is March 4 this year. See the parade schedule.
Meanwhile, the FBI revealed yesterday that the suspect in the attack had visited New Orleans at least twice in the weeks leading up to it.
- During a Halloween trip last year, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Houston resident, used Meta glasses to record a bike ride down Bourbon Street. He was wearing the glasses during the attack too but officials say they weren't recording.
- He also visited Tampa, Egypt and Canada, the FBI said. Go deeper for more about his life.
What's next: The New Orleans City Council and state Attorney General Liz Murrill are opening their own investigations of the attack, in addition to the FBI's.
- Murrill on Monday said she has directed the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation to look into "all aspects of planning for and execution of security measures" for New Year's and the Sugar Bowl, NOLA.com says.
- The council is scheduled to hear from NOPD and the Department of Public Works at a committee meeting Wednesday about "all barriers available to limit roadway and sidewalk access," the agenda says.
The victims: The victims include locals, tourists, parents and students —people who were just trying to enjoy a celebratory night in the French Quarter. Read their stories.
- Kareem Badawi, a 23-year-old University of Alabama student from Baton Rouge.
- Tiger Bech, a 27-year-old football standout from Lafayette.
- Drew Dauphin, a 26-year-old Auburn grad.
- Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old from Gulfport.
- Billy DiMaio, a 25-year-old sales exec for Audacy.
- Hubert Gauthreaux, a 21-year-old Archbishop Shaw High School alum.
- Reggie Hunter, a 37-year-old Prairieville father.
- Terrence Kennedy, a 63-year-old New Orleanian.
- Nicole Perez, a 27-year-old Metairie mom.
- Edward Pettifer, a 31-year-old from London with ties to the royal family.
- LaTasha Polk, a 47-year-old mom from the Treme neighborhood.
- Brandon Taylor, a 43-year-old Terrytown cook at DiMartino's.
- Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audiovisual tech at the Caesars Superdome.
- Elliot Wilkinson, a 40-year-old from Slidell.
Period of mourning: Louisiana's public schools will have daily moments of silence for each victim, starting Monday through Jan. 23, Landry said at a Sunday press conference.
- Flags will also fly at half-staff for the next two weeks, and the bells at St. Louis Cathedral will ring daily in their honor.
How to help: Officials are asking for blood donations to help the wounded, and families are seeking assistance with burial expenses. Go deeper.
- Gayle Benson, Cam Jordan and Zion Williamson donated more than $1 million to victim funds coordinated by the GNO Foundation and the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
- University Medical Center and the Spirit of Charity Foundation have launched the NOLA Strong Fund.
- Louisiana First Lady Sharon Landry also has created a fund through her foundation, Love One Louisiana, which is supported by Fox Corp.
- Officials are continuing to ask for tips and to talk with anyone who may have interacted with Jabbar.
Resources available: The FBI has a family assistance center where victims and their loved ones can retrieve personal items left at the scene and get more assistance.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is also offering loans to businesses in metro New Orleans related to the attack, the governor says.
Zoom in: Expect road closures Monday, especially on Interstate 10 while the presidential motorcade is traveling. (More details on Biden's visit.)
- Roads are also closed around the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center for Super Bowl prep. (See the map.)
What we're watching: Biden stopped at Drago's in Metairie during his last visit. Will this one include a side trip?
Editor's note: This story has been updated with throughout with new details. It also reflects that the City Council committee meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday.