Terrorist Attack on New Year's in New Orleans Leaves 15 Dead, Dozens Injured
Army veteran drives truck into crowd, exchanges gunfire with police, as FBI investigates ISIS ties.
A horrifying terrorist attack unfolded in the early hours of New Year’s Day when a man drove a rented pickup truck through barricades into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. The rampage, which also involved gunfire and the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), has shocked the nation and prompted a sweeping investigation into potential connections with terrorist groups.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police after the attack. Officials confirmed that Jabbar had attached an ISIS flag to the truck’s rear hitch and carried multiple weapons, including an assault rifle and a handgun. Two police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire, one from a gunshot wound and another pinned by the vehicle.
The incident began around 3:15 a.m. during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the French Quarter. Jabbar drove a Ford F-150 Lightning truck at high speed along Bourbon Street, mowing down pedestrians over a three-block stretch before crashing. Witnesses described a scene of chaos, with people fleeing or ducking into bars for safety.
After the crash, Jabbar exited the vehicle and opened fire on responding officers. Surveillance footage has since revealed several individuals appearing to plant explosive devices in the area before the attack, leading investigators to suspect Jabbar did not act alone.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the attack was intended to cause maximum carnage, describing Jabbar as “hell-bent” on creating devastation.
The FBI is leading the investigation, treating the incident as an act of terrorism. Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, confirmed the discovery of multiple viable IEDs in and around the scene. “We are aggressively pursuing all leads, including identifying Jabbar’s associates,” Duncan said.
The truck, rented through the car-sharing app Turo, was spotted in Texas the day before the attack, although it remains unclear if Jabbar was driving at the time.
Authorities have cordoned off a residence believed to be connected to the suspect in Houston, Texas, and are conducting searches for additional evidence.
The attack has raised questions about the adequacy of security measures in New Orleans. The city had been upgrading bollards along Bourbon Street to prevent such vehicle attacks, but the barriers were reportedly nonfunctional during the incident due to ongoing replacement work. Jabbar reportedly bypassed a police car blocking an intersection by driving onto the sidewalk.
The Sugar Bowl, scheduled for New Year’s Day, was postponed to Thursday as authorities secured the area.
President Joe Biden called the attack a “terrible tragedy” and vowed federal support for New Orleans as investigations continue. Former President Donald Trump also offered condolences, calling the act “pure evil” and pledging support for recovery efforts.
The attack follows heightened warnings from federal agencies about vehicle ramming tactics, which have become a recurring method used by extremist groups in high-profile events.
Witnesses described scenes of terror and devastation. Dan McFee, who narrowly escaped being hit by the truck, recounted, “It was heading directly toward me and my friend. I threw us both out of the way, but the vehicle struck others. It was chaos.”
Jimmy Cothran, an EMT who witnessed the aftermath, described the graphic nature of the injuries. “It was something out of a movie—just unbelievable. Bodies were everywhere,” he said.
As the investigation unfolds, New Orleans remains on high alert, with law enforcement combing the French Quarter for additional explosives. The FBI has urged anyone with information about Jabbar’s activities in the past 72 hours to come forward.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over New Year’s celebrations, but city officials and law enforcement vow to rebuild and secure the area for future events. For now, the nation mourns the lives lost and prays for the recovery of those injured in this heinous act of violence.