Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser wants to know why security bollards were removed from the French Quarter that could have prevented the deadly New Year's Day massacre, he told Newsmax on Thursday.
"To know that they didn't have those in place for an event like Sugar Bowl just angers me," Nungesser told "National Report." "We fought for cleaning up and making the French Quarter safer for years. It's just a horrible event that happened.”
The FBI said the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an "act of terrorism" when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revelers early Wednesday, killing 15 people and injuring about 35.
The New Orleans driver had posted videos on social media hours before the carnage saying he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing a desire to kill, President Joe Biden said.
The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42.
Nungesser said he was unaware the bollards had been removed for repairs after the city said they were not reliable.
"I don't think anyone knew that," Nungesser said. "At least I didn't, or any of my staff that these balusters were not in place. I have been in constant contact conversation over the last several years to try to get the French Quarter under a different management with the state, because it's so important to our tourism industry to clean it up and make it safe.
"To say they were under repair is not a good answer. I'm a little embarrassed that that was the answer of the city."
The lieutenant governor said he had confidence New Orleans police, state police, and federal officials would do a great job and ensure the Sugar Bowl goes off safely. New Orleans is also hosting the Super Bowl next month.
"I'm sure the governor will make sure all of these security issues are addressed and taken care of, just as he does with state police in the French Quarter to make it safer, but we've got a lot of work to do, but we need to make sure we cover all our bases," Nungesser concluded.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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