By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-pentagon-holds-briefing-after-israel-strikes-dozens-of-targets-in-gaza Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Pentagon holds briefing after deadly incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas Politics Updated on Jan 3, 2025 6:48 PM EDT — Published on Jan 3, 2025 12:18 PM EDT The Pentagon weighed in on the deadly New Year’s Day incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas Friday. Watch the Pentagon news briefing in the player above. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh offered condolences the families of the dead and injured in New Orleans, where more than a dozen people were killed, and dozens more were injured when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a New Year’s crowd early Wednesday. He also died during the incident when was killed in a gunbattle with police. In the second incident in Las Vegas, Matthew Livelsberger, a highly decorated Special Forces soldier, died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion. Livelsberger left note saying it was stunt to serve as wakeup for country’s ills. WATCH: What inspires veterans or service members to carry out violence and extremism? He also confided to a former girlfriend — who had served as an Army nurse — that he faced significant pain and exhaustion that she says were key symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Singh said that the Pentagon has provided the FBI with medical records to aid in their investigation. “Secretary Austin has been closely monitoring both situations and has actively engaged in providing updates to the president and homeland security leaders as needed,” she said. “We encourage our service members, if you need help, if you feel that you need to seek any type of mental health treatment, or just to talk to someone, to seek the services that are available either on base or online.” Singh also said the Pentagon will provide support for “three high profile national special security events” in January. Singh said 500 National Guardsmen will provide security during the certification of the 2024 election on January 6. She said 7800 National Guardsmen are expected to provide support for security operations on Inauguration Day. And she said the Joint Task Force, National Capital Region will lead ceremonial honors for the state funeral of President Carter. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
The Pentagon weighed in on the deadly New Year’s Day incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas Friday. Watch the Pentagon news briefing in the player above. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh offered condolences the families of the dead and injured in New Orleans, where more than a dozen people were killed, and dozens more were injured when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a New Year’s crowd early Wednesday. He also died during the incident when was killed in a gunbattle with police. In the second incident in Las Vegas, Matthew Livelsberger, a highly decorated Special Forces soldier, died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion. Livelsberger left note saying it was stunt to serve as wakeup for country’s ills. WATCH: What inspires veterans or service members to carry out violence and extremism? He also confided to a former girlfriend — who had served as an Army nurse — that he faced significant pain and exhaustion that she says were key symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Singh said that the Pentagon has provided the FBI with medical records to aid in their investigation. “Secretary Austin has been closely monitoring both situations and has actively engaged in providing updates to the president and homeland security leaders as needed,” she said. “We encourage our service members, if you need help, if you feel that you need to seek any type of mental health treatment, or just to talk to someone, to seek the services that are available either on base or online.” Singh also said the Pentagon will provide support for “three high profile national special security events” in January. Singh said 500 National Guardsmen will provide security during the certification of the 2024 election on January 6. She said 7800 National Guardsmen are expected to provide support for security operations on Inauguration Day. And she said the Joint Task Force, National Capital Region will lead ceremonial honors for the state funeral of President Carter. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now