CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Thursday asked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about memos in which his department reportedly warned law enforcement agencies about “lone offenders” and the possible use of vehicle ramming, about a month before the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
“That bulletin went out and was sent out across the country to cities and states to warn of this potential danger. Did New Orleans actually screw up without heeding that warning?” Blitzer asked Mayorkas.
“I don’t think it’s fair to say that, Wolf. That would not be a fair conclusion,” Mayorkas responded.
The memos – a joint bulletin and a later released ‘critical incident note’ on the deadly German Christmas market attack obtained by CNN – described how “lone offenders are most likely to pose the threat of violence against soft targets back home during the winter holidays.”
“Lone offenders have historically used simple tactics, such as edged weapons, firearms or ramming vehicles, because of their ease of access, ability to inflict mass casualties and lack of required training,” said the bulletin issued on December 6 issued.
The DHS, along with the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center, sends such bulletins to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies “when necessary” and typically before the holidays, per CNN.
Mayorkas told Blitzer that the bulletin was not the first time it had been linked to a threat of attack from a single perpetrator, adding that the department had discussed the phenomenon of U.S. residents “radicalized to violence.” by a foreign terrorist” or other ideologies.
“Local officials are doing their best to ensure the well-being of their residents. We are working very closely with our state and local partners,” he said.
Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, told reporters Thursday that the bureau believes the suspect — Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who officials say died during a shootout with police — acted alone in the deadly attack that he described as an “act of terror” that was “100% inspired by ISIS.”
Raia said there was “no definitive link” between the truck attack and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas.
The suspect in that incident – an active duty soldier in the US Army who is believed to have shot himself in the head before the vehicle exploded – rented the Tesla vehicle on Turo, the same car rental app used to rent the truck in New York City. Orleans attack.