Quick summary:
• A pickup truck driven by Shamsud Din Jabbar plowed into New Orleans’ Bourbon Street crowd, killing 15 and injuring dozens early on New Year’s Day.
• After exiting the vehicle, Jabbar opened fire on police, injuring two officers before being fatally shot.
• The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism and examining potential accomplices and motives.
• Victims include Nicole Perez, a deli manager and mother, and Mississippi teen Nikyra Dedeaux; many others remain hospitalized in critical condition.
• Questions have arisen about the absence of security bollards in the French Quarter, which were removed for replacement before the attack.
• Two explosive devices found near the scene were rendered safe, and a potential connection to a Las Vegas incident is under investigation.
• President Joe Biden condemned the violence, stating, “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, tragedy struck the French Quarter of New Orleans when a pickup truck barreled into crowds celebrating on Bourbon Street. The attack, which left at least 15 dead and dozens more injured, has been classified as an act of terrorism. Law enforcement officials are investigating the incident and its broader implications.
At approximately 3:15 a.m., the suspect, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowded intersection during New Year’s festivities. After striking dozens of pedestrians, Jabbar exited the vehicle and opened fire on responding police officers, injuring two. He was subsequently shot and killed by law enforcement.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” said Anne Kirkpatrick, superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. “It was very intentional behavior.”
The FBI confirmed that they are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Officials are working to determine whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office is working to identify the 15 deceased victims, a process that may take several days. Confirmed fatalities include Nicole Perez, a deli manager and mother of a young son; Tiger Bech, a former standout high school athlete; and Mississippi teen Nikyra Dedeaux.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the attack. “Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering,” said Zion Parsons, who lost a close friend in the tragedy.
Local hospitals, including University Medical Center, are treating dozens of survivors, many of whom remain in critical condition. Blood drives and community vigils have been organized to support victims and their families.
The attack has raised questions about security infrastructure in the French Quarter. Bollards, typically used to prevent vehicle access, had been removed for replacement as part of a city project. Kirkpatrick noted that the suspect bypassed barricades and suggested that even operational bollards might not have prevented the attack.
The city has implemented heightened security measures, including a lockdown of the Superdome, ahead of the rescheduled Sugar Bowl.
Authorities are investigating Jabbar’s motives and background. The FBI is reviewing his travel history, recent contacts, and online activity. Two explosive devices found in the French Quarter were rendered safe, and a potential connection to a separate explosion at a Las Vegas hotel is under investigation.
President Joe Biden has directed federal agencies to prioritize the investigation. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities,” he said.
As New Orleans mourns the victims of this horrific attack, law enforcement and federal agencies continue to investigate its origins and implications.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed the city’s resilience: “We do know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack. Together, we will overcome this tragedy with strength and resolve.”
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