King Charles Expresses Condolences Following Tragic Death in New Orleans Attack

King Charles has been informed about the tragic incident involving Mr. Pettifer and is said to be deeply saddened by the news. He has reportedly reached out to Mr. Pettifer's family to extend his personal condolences during this difficult time. Discussions have also taken place regarding the awareness of Mr. Pettifer's passing among the royal family, including the Prince of Wales.

In their statement, Mr. Pettifer's family expressed their profound sorrow at the unexpected loss of Ed in New Orleans. They described him as a beloved son and a cherished friend to many, highlighting the pain of losing him and extending their thoughts to other families affected by the attack. They requested privacy to allow them to grieve as a family in a peaceful manner.

The preliminary cause of Mr. Pettifer’s death has been determined to be blunt force injuries, according to the New Orleans coroner. The Met Police have assigned family liaison officers to assist Mr. Pettifer's family as they navigate the process of bringing his body back to the United Kingdom. Additionally, the Foreign Office is in contact with U.S. authorities to provide support to the victim's family.

The violent incident has been confirmed to have resulted in at least 14 fatalities and over 35 injuries. The chaotic event occurred in the popular French Quarter of New Orleans in the early hours of New Year's Day, when a man driving a pick-up truck drove into pedestrians. Following the crash, the suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, exited the vehicle and opened fire before being shot by police. Authorities later discovered an Islamic State flag in the vehicle and explosive devices nearby, leading to the belief that he acted independently.