Why attackers use vehicles as weapons to kill innocent people in crowds

CNN — When an Army veteran “hell-bent” on creating carnage rammed a 6,000-pound pickup truck into a crowd of revelers, the massacre in New Orleans followed a disturbing trend -– assailants using vehicles to run over innocent civilians. Saipov said he was motivated by a video of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi questioning “what Muslims in the United States and elsewhere were doing to respond to the killing of Muslims in Iraq.” A judge sentenced Saipov to eight consecutive life terms, calling him “unrepentant.” Barcelona, Spain Date of attack: August 17, 2017 Number of casualties: At least 14 people were killed and more than 100 were injured Injured people react after a van crashed into pedestrians in the Las Ramblas section of downtown Barcelona, Spain. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images Deadly truck attack in Jerusalem Prev Next What happened: Authorities said 28-year-old Fadi Qunbar plowed into a group of Israeli soldiers on a popular promenade overlooking the walled Old City of Jerusalem. “We know there is a sequence of terror attacks, and it’s quite possible that there is a connection between them – from France, Berlin and now Jerusalem.” Berlin Date of attack: December 19, 2016 Number of casualties: Twelve people were killed and at least 48 were wounded Authorities examine a truck Tuesday, December 20, that crashed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin the night before. Nice, France Date of attack: July 14, 2016 Number of casualties: 84 people were killed and more than 200 were injured What happened: Authorities said Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a 20-ton truck to strike hundreds of people in Nice, where large crowds gathered to watch Bastille Day fireworks.