Biden confirms New Orleans attacker posted support for ISIS hours before rampage

President Joe Biden on Wednesday confirmed that the perpetrator of a New Orleans, La., terrorist attack on New Year's Eve identified ISIS as his inspiration for the rampage.

Authorities identified Shamsud Din Jabbar as the culprit in the mass killing that saw 10 dead and dozens more injured. The president further confirmed the attacker was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a citizen who expressed support for the Islamic State.

"The FBI is leading the investigation to determine what happened, why it happened, whether it was any continuing threat to public safety," he said. "Here's what we know. So far, the FBI has reported to me the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas. He served in the United States Army on active duty for many years."

"He also served in the Army Reserve, until a few years ago, the FBI also reported to me that mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, expressing a desire to kill, desire to kill," he added. "The ISIS flag was found in his vehicle, which he rented to conduct this attack."

"Possible explosives were found in the vehicle as well, and more explosives were near. Were found nearby. The situation is very fluid, and the investigation has a preliminary stage," he continued.

He further confirmed that authorities were monitoring the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck at the Trump hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, but that any link between the two incidents was unconfirmed.