The American president and the first lady will arrive on Monday in the southern city, still shocked by the death of at least 14 people when an attacker rammed a car into a massive New Year's celebration.
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden will travel next Monday to New Orleans, Louisiana, after a terrorist attack that left at least 14 dead and dozens injured during a massive New Year's celebration in the city's emblematic French Quarter.
“The president and first lady will accompany the families and community members affected by the tragic attack on January 1 and will meet with officials at the scene,” the White House reported this Friday in a brief statement.
New Orleans, famous for its history as a melting pot of traditions, its joyful celebrations and the resilience of its inhabitants, begins to take the first steps towards normality after a 42-year-old American resident of Texas, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar , ran at full speed down the famous Bourbon Street, charging into the crowd.
Jabbar, who, according to authorities, acted inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group and was killed in a shootout with the police. About 30 people were injured.
The deceased included an 18-year-old aspiring nurse, a single mother, a father of two and a former Princeton University football star, among others.
A day after the massacre, the road reopened and the city held the long-awaited Sugarbowl, an American football competition that had to be postponed one day due to safety concerns.
The Joan of Arc parade in the French Quarter remains scheduled for Monday to kick off the carnival season ahead of the famous Mardi Gras, organizers said, expecting a usual turnout of around 30,000 participants.
The FBI has continued to search for clues about Jabbar but, a day after launching its investigation, the agency said it was certain that he worked alone in planning the attack.
Federal agents detailed that hours before the attack, Jabbar posted five videos on his Facebook account in which he proclaimed his support for the Islamic State group and anticipated the violence that would soon be unleashed in the famous French Quarter district of New Orleans.
The New Year incident is up to now deadliest IS-inspired assault on US soil in yearsand laid bare what federal officials have warned is a resurgent international terrorist threat, coming as the FBI and other agencies prepare for a dramatic change in U.S. leadership, and likely changes of politics, after the inauguration of the government of President-elect Donald Trump.
(With information from Reuters and The Associated Press)