In the aftermath of a devastating terror attack in New Orleans, a press conference took an unexpected turn with remarks made by Republican Sen. John Kennedy.

A terror act on Bourbon Street resulted in 14 fatalities after Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a rented car into a gathering, with controversy later ensuing due to comments made by Kennedy and from contradictory information from media sources, as the Daily Mail reports.

The incident, which occurred on New Year's Day, shook the local community as details emerged about the perpetrator. Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran and American citizen, had executed the attack using a car secured through a vehicle-sharing app known as Turo.

During a subsequent press conference, Kennedy, who represents Louisiana in the Senate, made an unexpected quip about an NBC News reporter being positioned "on the right." This comment led to a mix of confusion and amusement among the attending journalists.

New Orleans Senator Calls for Federal Action

Kennedy did not hold back when expressing his frustration regarding the federal response to the ongoing investigation. He emphatically demanded nationwide cooperation from the secretary of Homeland Security, emphasizing the urgency of the agency's support.

"I told him that, with all the respect I could muster, we expect the full force and resources of the federal government behind this investigation," Kennedy stated emphatically during his remarks.

The senator's demand for accountability did not end there, as he promised to "raise fresh hell" if forthcoming details were not provided about the situation.

Fox News Fumbles with Misinformation

Even as officials worked to uncover more about the tragic incident, misleading reports muddied the public's understanding. In particular, Fox News erroneously reported that the vehicle used in the attack had crossed the U.S. border two days prior.

This misinformation led to unfounded allegations of a federal government cover-up, as people tried to make sense of the tragic event.

President-elect Donald Trump's comments on social media only added fuel to the fire, as he voiced opinions based on this incorrect timeline.

Correction from Media Outlets and Responses

Fox News later amended its story, clarifying that the border crossing had occurred two months earlier, not two days. Despite this correction, the damage from the initial error had already sowed seeds of distrust among the public.

Trump maintained his stance. His remarks highlighted his concerns over crime rates, which he claimed were unseen before in U.S. history. He offered condolences to the victims and praised local law enforcement.

Meanwhile, the online community was abuzz with criticism aimed at both media outlets and politicians, including Kennedy, for their handling of the situation.

Senator's Comments Stir Social Media

Kennedy's comment towards an NBC News journalist at the press event exacerbated the tensions, prompting outrage across social media platforms. His sly remark drew sharp reactions from those who viewed it as inappropriate under the somber circumstances.

When a reporter expressed confusion about Kennedy's joke, he replied simply with, "You wouldn’t," further intensifying the mixed reactions of laughter and criticism from those present.

Attempting to clarify the facts amid the chaos, Kennedy acknowledged the breadth of ongoing speculation, stating, "There’s a lot of information going around. Some of it is actually true. Some of it isn’t."

Investigation Led by FBI

As the various narratives continued to unfold, the Federal Bureau of Investigation took charge of the primary inquiry into the attack. The agency has since been working to gather accurate and comprehensive details about the motivations behind the tragic event.

Kennedy remained steadfast in his commitment to transparency, vowing to chase down every lead and coordinate with federal agencies to ensure justice and clarity for the victims.

Looking forward, the priorities for local and national officials center on preventing further acts of violence while maintaining open channels of communication with the public.