New Orleans Attack: A terrorist attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans left 15 dead and over 30 injured when a pickup truck rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street. The suspect, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, was killed in a gunfight with police after the attack.
Speaking on the incident, US President Joe Biden said that every resource is being utilized to ensure there is no threat to the American people. He further said that law enforcement is investigating any possible connection between the “terror attack” and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas.
“We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” Joe Biden said.
The FBI is treating the incident as an ‘act of terrorism’ and is investigating Jabbar’s potential accomplices and affiliations.
Here’s everything we know about the tragedy:
- The attack occurred at 3:15 am on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on January 1, 2025, when a terrorist drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers, killing 15 people and injuring over 30 others.
- After crashing into the crowd, the suspect exited his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with police, injuring two officers in the process.
- Law enforcement responded with gunfire, fatally shooting the suspect at the scene.
- Among the 15 fatalities, two victims have been identified as Reggie Hunter, a 37-year-old father of two from Baton Rouge, and Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old from Gulfport who had traveled to New Orleans with family and friends to celebrate the New Year.
- More than 30 injured individuals were transported to local hospitals, with most being treated at University Medical Center, while others were sent to Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus, and Ochsner Baptist Campus.
- The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a US citizen and resident of Texas, who had rented the Ford pickup truck used in the attack.
- Authorities discovered weapons in the vehicle, including a handgun, an AR-style rifle, and multiple suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs), along with an ISIS flag displayed inside the truck.
- The FBI has taken over the investigation and is treating the incident as an act of terrorism, actively investigating Jabbar’s potential connections to terrorist organizations.
- Officials believe that Jabbar did not act alone and are pursuing leads to identify and locate his associates.
- Jabbar was a US Army veteran who had reportedly been honorably discharged, and he had previous involvement in consulting and real estate, though financial troubles were noted in his 2022 divorce proceedings.
- New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar’s actions as “very intentional,” stating, “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry condemned the attack as a horrific act of violence, urging prayers for the victims and first responders in New Orleans while advising residents to avoid Bourbon Street.The FBI has confirmed suspicions that Jabbar had accomplices and is working aggressively to track down other individuals involved in the attack.
- Bourbon Street, a major destination for New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans, saw significant disruptions following the attack, with heightened security and barricades in place.
- The Sugar Bowl playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame, scheduled for Wednesday evening, was delayed due to safety concerns.
- Injured individuals are receiving treatment at five local hospitals, while the two police officers who were struck by gunfire remain in stable condition.
