Suspected Terrorist Attack on Bourbon Street Leaves 15 Dead, Dozens Injured
A horrific attack during New Year’s celebrations in the French Quarter left 15 dead and approximately 35 injured early Wednesday morning when a pickup truck rammed into a crowded Bourbon Street gathering.
The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, of Texas. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police after exiting the vehicle and opening fire on responding officers. Authorities say they are investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
The incident unfolded at around 3:15 a.m. CST, as revelers packed the iconic New Orleans street to ring in the New Year. Witnesses described a white pickup truck speeding into the crowd, leaving devastation in its wake.
After the crash, Jabbar engaged police in a brief but intense gunfight before being fatally shot. An ISIS flag was found in the truck, along with two improvised explosive devices concealed in coolers a few blocks from the crash site. The explosives were reportedly wired to a remote detonator recovered from the truck.
Authorities have released the names of four victims:
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, an aspiring nursing student from Mississippi.
Tiger Bech, a former Princeton University football player.
Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two.
Nicole Perez, 27, a mother of a 4-year-old child.
The University of Georgia confirmed that one of its students was among the injured. The Sugar Bowl, scheduled for Wednesday between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame, has been postponed to Thursday in light of the tragedy.
Federal Investigation Underway
President Joe Biden addressed the nation Wednesday, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and condemning the attack. The president revealed that investigators are exploring a possible connection between this incident and a separate explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas, which officials suspect may be part of a coordinated effort.
The New Orleans Police Department, working closely with federal agencies, has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine if Jabbar acted alone or as part of a broader plot. Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward.
City in Mourning
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has declared a state of emergency, vowing that the city will persevere through the tragedy. “We are a city of resilience, and we will not let this act of terror define us,” Cantrell said in a statement.
This attack has cast a pall over the city, renowned for its festive spirit and cultural vibrancy. As investigators continue their work, the French Quarter remains a site of grief and solidarity in the wake of one of the deadliest attacks in the city’s history.
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