London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Edward Pettifer, a 31-year-old from London, was confirmed among those killed in an attack in New Orleans while authorities are investigating the incident.
A truck strike in New Orleans, carried out by an alleged ISIS supporter, left 14 people dead during New Year’s celebrations.
As reported by Sky News, the MET police verified that Edward Pettifer, from Chelsea in west London, lost his life as a result of the attack.
In a statement, his family described themselves as “devastated” by the loss of their loved one and paid him tribute by saying he was “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many.”
Mr Pettifer’s family added “We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private.”
According to PA reports, the main reason for the death of Mr. Pettifer, as identified by the New Orleans coroner, was “blunt force injuries.”
On New Year’s Day, 42-year-old former military man Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his rented truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, injuring dozens.
The FBI confirmed that the assault was a “premeditated” and “evil” terrorist act, stating that suspected Jabbar was fully motivated by ISIS.
Officials also confirmed that an Islamic State flag was recovered from the truck.
In a statement to Sky News, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said they are assisting the Briton individual who died in New Orleans and they are coordinating with local officials.
Authorities have revealed that the coroner has recognised the majority of the victims in the truck attack.
Most of those killed in the attack were from different parts of the US, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, with the youngest being 18 and the oldest 63.
Before the attack, Jabbar burned down a house he had rented to hide evidence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms reported that Jabbar used accelerants across the house to set it on fire.
Officials also found explosive components at both Jabbar’s rented accommodation in New Orleans and his home in Houston, Texas, as well as a homemade rifle silencer in the house of New Orleans.
Federal authorities revealed on Friday that Jabbar had arranged the truck for the deadly attack over six weeks in advance.
Around 35 individuals were hurt in the truck assault, and the FBI expects the number may rise as more victims seek hospital treatment.
The University Medical Centre New Orleans confirmed that it gave treatment to 30 victims of the attack, with 13 still hospitalized, and eight in the ICU.
NBC News reported that federal authorities said Jabbar used a rare explosive material in the two IEDs he set up before the strike.
Officials said the blasting material had never been used in any US or European terror attacks. Investigators are now examining how Jabbar made it and why the IEDs failed to explode.
Two notable incidents occurred in London on New Year’s Day, a 25-year-old man was stabbed with a knife outside Bond Street station early on January 1, and in the second assault, a 17-year-old boy was injured in Lambeth and his condition remains serious.