A former U.S. Army member, driving a truck adorned with an ISIS flag, plowed into a crowded New Year’s Day celebration in New Orleans’ French Quarter, killing 15 people and injuring 30 others, including two police officers.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas native and Afghanistan veteran, was killed in a shootout with police after crashing into the crowd. The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a historic area renowned for its vibrant nightlife and New Year’s festivities.
Authorities discovered weapons and a potential explosive device in Jabbar’s vehicle, while two additional devices were found and secured in the French Quarter. The FBI confirmed that an ISIS flag was attached to the truck, prompting an investigation into potential terrorist ties.
In response to the ongoing threat, officials postponed the Sugar Bowl, a prestigious college football game traditionally held in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. The matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia was rescheduled for Thursday afternoon as police scoured the city for additional explosives and pursued leads.
The FBI’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Alethea Duncan, stated, “We do not believe Jabbar acted alone. We are aggressively pursuing all leads, including known associates.” Investigators are examining multiple suspects in connection with the attack.
Among the victims were a mother of a 4-year-old who had recently been promoted at work, a New York finance worker and former student athlete visiting home for the holidays, and an 18-year-old nursing student from Mississippi.
CNN reported that Jabbar had recorded videos expressing his desire to join ISIS and contemplating harming his family following his divorce. Public records reveal that he worked in real estate in Houston and had served in the U.S. military for over a decade, including a deployment to Afghanistan.
Statements from Trump and Biden
President-elect Donald Trump described the attack as evidence of his “terrible assessment of crime” in America, pledging full support for New Orleans as it recovers from what he called “an act of pure evil.”
President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “despicable” and confirmed that investigators were exploring potential links to other incidents, including the burning of a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. However, Biden emphasized that no evidence currently connects the two events.
Tesla explosion in Las Vegas
In a separate incident, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The FBI is investigating whether the explosion was an act of terrorism.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted that both the Cybertruck and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack were rented through the car-sharing service Turo.
Elon Musk clarified that the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb carried in the vehicle’s chassis and was unrelated to the Cybertruck itself.
Global condemnation and condolences
World leaders expressed their outrage and solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron described New Orleans as “a city dear to the hearts of the French” and extended condolences to the victims and their families. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas also condemned the attack, offering support to the U.S. during this tragic time.
In a separate incident, a mass shooting occurred at a nightclub in Queens, New York. At least 11 people were injured, and two suspects are being sought.
