A vehicle plowed into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing ten and injuring at least 35 others. Police describe the attacker’s behavior as “very intentional,” and federal investigators are treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen and Texas resident with a prior criminal record, was wearing body armor and driving a rental truck displaying a black flag of unknown origin. The FBI has stated that they do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are actively seeking possible accomplices. They are urging anyone with information, photos, or videos to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed to an Airbnb linked to Jabbar, and reports indicate a fire at the rental property, prompting evacuations due to suspected explosives inside. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police; a long gun was recovered at the scene, and investigators are examining a potential improvised explosive device.
Among the injured is Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old University of Georgia student visiting from Gulfport, Mississippi. Reports suggest Dedeaux ran into the street directly into the path of the truck. The incident initially threatened to overshadow the Allstate Sugar Bowl college football game, but organizers ultimately decided to proceed with the event, though they expressed condolences to the victims and their families. The game was held less than a mile from Bourbon Street.
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is working to reunite families affected by the attack, offering support and assistance. Statements from officials including Congressman Troy Carter, who has spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the White House, highlight the gravity of the situation and emphasize the ongoing investigation. President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the event via Truth Social.
Eyewitness accounts, such as that of Jimmy Cothran, highlight the lack of sufficient crowd control barriers on Bourbon Street during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Cothran believes the absence of the usual metal barriers, which are deployed during Mardi Gras, contributed significantly to the high casualty count. He stated that only flimsy plastic barriers were in place, insufficient to stop the vehicle.
The investigation, led by the FBI, continues to focus on Jabbar’s potential connections, motives, and any possible accomplices. While some early reports suggested a lone actor, the investigation remains ongoing, with federal officials committed to uncovering the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.