Newsgens: On New Year’s Day, a devastating attack occurred in New Orleans’ French Quarter when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran, swerved around barriers and drove a truck into a crowd, killing 15 people and injuring about 30 others. The attack took place around 3:15 a.m. near the bustling intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a famous destination known for its vibrant nightlife and music scene. Jabbar, a Texas native who served in Afghanistan, was killed in a shootout with police after ramming into the crowd.
Authorities Investigate Possible Terrorist Links
An ISIS flag was displayed on the truck, prompting an immediate investigation by the FBI into potential terrorist connections. The authorities found weapons and a potential explosive device in the vehicle, and two more explosive devices were discovered and safely neutralized in the French Quarter. The FBI has suggested that Jabbar may not have acted alone and is actively following leads to identify any accomplices involved in the attack.
Attack Raises Security Concerns as Major Events Loom
The New Year’s Day attack led to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, an annual college football game held in New Orleans. Authorities conducted a sweeping search of the city for possible explosives while focusing on potential links between the suspect and other recent incidents, including a fire involving a Tesla truck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. No direct connection between the two events has been confirmed.
FBI’s Findings and Social Media Activity
Investigators found that Jabbar had posted troubling videos on social media hours before the attack, expressing admiration for ISIS and a desire to kill. The suspect also made disturbing statements about wanting to join ISIS and harming his family after a divorce. Jabbar, who worked in real estate in Houston, served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2020, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009.
Eyewitness Accounts and Police Response
Eyewitnesses, such as Mike and Kimberly Strickland from Alabama, described the horror of the attack, with loud impacts, debris, and screams filling the air as pedestrians were struck by the truck. Despite a large police presence of about 400 officers on duty in the French Quarter, the vehicle managed to breach the temporary barriers put in place to protect pedestrians. Authorities had been in the process of upgrading the steel bollards on Bourbon Street to better prevent vehicle attacks, but construction was not yet completed in time for the Super Bowl, which is also set to take place in New Orleans next month.
Global Condemnation and Support for Victims
The tragic attack has garnered international condemnation from leaders across the globe. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences, emphasizing the deep connection between New Orleans and France. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also condemned the violence, offering support to the victims’ families. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, and the German ambassador in Washington joined in expressing solidarity with the American people during this tragic time.
As investigators continue to search for answers, New Orleans grapples with the aftermath of an attack that has left the city, and the world, in shock.
