A horrific attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day left at least 15 dead and dozens injured after a US Army veteran deliberately drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers. The FBI identified the attacker as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas who had worked as a real estate agent and served as an IT specialist in the military. An ISIS flag was found in his vehicle, and President Biden stated that Jabbar had posted online videos hours before the attack indicating inspiration by the terrorist group. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar as a terrorist, emphasizing the intentional and violent nature of his actions. The attack occurred near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a heavily populated area celebrating the start of the new year. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police following the attack, and two homemade bombs were subsequently discovered and disarmed.
The FBI is actively investigating the incident, conducting search warrants in New Orleans and other states. FBI Agent Alethea Duncan stated that authorities do not believe Jabbar acted alone, prompting a manhunt for potential accomplices. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed this ongoing search, stating, “We’re hunting some bad people down.” The investigation is focusing on whether there were any links between the New Orleans attack and a separate 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 investigation into a potential connection, he stated that no link has been found thus far. Both vehicles used in the attacks were rented through the car-sharing app Turo.
International condemnation poured in, with world leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressing shock and grief. Statements of condolences and support were also issued by numerous other countries. President-elect Trump, however, criticized US law enforcement agencies in a social media post, blaming them for the broader issue of national security and border control. China also released a statement expressing shock and condemning the violence.
The Pentagon confirmed Jabbar’s military service, noting his deployment to Afghanistan. The investigation continues to unfold, with authorities actively pursuing leads and seeking to determine the full extent of Jabbar’s network and motivations.