*In a horrifying incident that has left New Orleans reeling, a suspect allegedly intent on committing mass murder drove a rented pickup truck through barricades and into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street early Wednesday.
The attack, which resulted in at least 10 fatalities and injured dozens more, has been labeled a “terrorist attack” by city officials and the FBI.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsuddin Bahar Jabbar, drove erratically along a three-block stretch, intentionally targeting pedestrians at high speed. Eyewitness accounts report that he fired shots into the crowd before exiting the vehicle, wielding an assault rifle. In the ensuing confrontation, police officers returned fire, killing Jabbar. At least two officers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene of a chaotic scene of destruction, where at least 35 individuals were reported injured. Most victims have been identified as locals celebrating the New Year’s festivities. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick remarked that the driver was “hell-bent on creating the carnage that he did.”
Investigators are currently conducting a thorough search of the area, as improvised explosive devices found both in the truck and surrounding the scene were determined to be viable. Authorities are scrutinizing whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices in orchestrating the attack. Disturbingly, the vehicle used in the rampage was reportedly spotted in Texas just a day before the attack, raising questions about Jabbar’s recent movements and potential connections to extremist groups such as ISIS.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed outrage at the violence, emphasizing the need for safety in public spaces, particularly during celebratory events. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing regarding the status of barricades on Bourbon Street at the time of the incident, a crucial factor in understanding how the suspect accessed the densely populated area.
Despite heightened security measures, including full staffing of the police department for the New Year’s Eve celebrations alongside the Sugar Bowl, fears of vehicular attacks have become more pronounced among law enforcement agencies, especially following recent incidents of similar nature, such as a deadly vehicle ramming attack in Germany.
In response to the tragedy, President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and has reached out to Cantrell to offer support. In a statement, he expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, asserting, “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
As New Orleans processes the shock of this tragic event, the community remains vigilant, mourning the loss of lives that were simply gathering to celebrate the New Year and hoping for healing in the aftermath of such senseless violence. Authorities continue to gather information and conduct investigations to provide clarity and justice for the victims and their families.
🚨Authorities have named Shamsud Din Jabbar, a Texas native and ex-U.S. Army serviceman, as the driver in the deadly New Orleans attack. Jabbar reportedly drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 10 fatalities and 30 injuries. pic.twitter.com/9XDxgQ33MM
— AlgorithmPulse (@AlgorithmPulse) January 1, 2025
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