A former US Army veteran carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans, plowing a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.
Authorities have identified the attacker as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas resident with a background in real estate and IT.
Jabbar, who served in the US military from 2007 to 2020, was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS).
An ISIS flag was discovered in his vehicle, according to the FBI.
President Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling it “despicable,” and noted that Jabbar had posted online videos expressing allegiance to ISIS just hours before the incident.
Details of the Attack
The assault occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a hotspot for celebrations.
Driving a white Ford F-150 electric truck at high speed, Jabbar intentionally struck pedestrians before being killed in a shootout with police.
Two officers were injured in the exchange, and authorities later discovered and neutralized two homemade explosives in the vehicle.
“This individual was determined to cause as much harm as possible,” said New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
“He acted with clear intent to create chaos and destruction.”
Investigations and Possible Connections
The FBI is investigating whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices. FBI agent Alethea Duncan noted that authorities are conducting search operations in multiple states and believe Jabbar was not solely responsible.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed that law enforcement is pursuing leads on additional suspects, stating, “We’re hunting down some dangerous individuals.”
The attack’s timing raised questions about potential links to another incident in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump, killing one person.
While President Biden acknowledged the coincidence, he clarified that no connection had been established between the two events.
Both vehicles involved in the New Orleans and Las Vegas incidents were rented through the car-sharing app Turo.
The company is cooperating with authorities and stated that neither renter had a criminal record that flagged them as a security risk.
Witness Accounts and Aftermath
Witnesses described scenes of terror and carnage in the aftermath of the New Orleans attack. Bystander Zion Parsons told CNN, “It was like a war zone — bodies, blood, and chaos everywhere.”
Another witness, Jimmy Cothran, recounted seeing multiple casualties and injured individuals screaming for help.
The incident disrupted New Year celebrations in the French Quarter, a major tourist destination known for its vibrant nightlife, jazz culture, and Mardi Gras festivities.
The Sugar Bowl, a significant college football game scheduled for the same day, was postponed to Thursday.
Background on the Suspect
Jabbar’s military record shows he served as a human resources and IT specialist, including a deployment to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.
Authorities are examining his background for signs of radicalization.
New Orleans, preparing to host the Super Bowl next month, now grapples with heightened security concerns as investigations continue into the attack’s motives and potential accomplices.
