With ringing in the New Year, people often gather to throw parties in this time of celebration. A particular New Years party located in New Orleans, however, was interrupted and changed from a time of fun and celebration, to one of panic and fear.
In the early hours of January 1st, 2025, 42-year-old US Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar stormed masses of people using his truck and an assault rifle in an attempt to kill as people many as possible. The attack took place on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, during the middle of this year’s New Years celebration. Jabbar reportedly drove a pickup truck onto the sidewalk, and around a parked police car that was serving as a barricade. He then went on and continued to plow into several groups of pedestrians, officials said.
While the subject was driving through the crowd and over dozens of people, he was also opening fire into the crowd at the same time. Jabbar then stopped and proceeded to exit the vehicle, armed with an assault rifle and then turned his fire on nearby police. The officers returned fire, shooting and killing Jabbar, but not before two police casualties. One officer was hit through gunfire and another was pinned underneath the truck Jabbar drove.
As of January 2nd, ABC News reported through the FBI, that 14 bystanders were killed in the attack, with an additional 35 injured. Dr Jeffery Elder of the University Medical Center in New Orleans, confirmed with ABC news that the death toll is not expected to rise.
As the investigation continues, several questions are forming. There are people wondering, why did this happen, and what motivated Jabbar’s actions? Another arising question is why were there not proper barriers in place during the event? In accordance with ABC News, more than 1,000 law enforcement officers have been, quote: “pouring over countless amounts of data, of videos, of surveillance, interviews, tracking down every possible lead,“ said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Authorities also uncovered videos posted by Jabbar, on his Facebook account. In some of the videos, Jabbar spoke out about his original intentions and plan about hurting his family and friends. Other videos include him proclaiming his support for ISIS, a terrorist group known as the The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and mentioning his thoughts about joining this group before the summer.
In an AP news article, it stated that throughout the investigation, the FBI had still continued to hunt for clues about Jabbar. However, a day into the investigation, it was made clear and put into confidence that he was not aided by anyone else during the attack.
Authorities found no connection to this attack and the second attack that took place on New Year’s day. This second attack was located in Las Vegas, at the Trump International Hotel. This attack was executed by Decorated U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Matthes Livelsberger, who was facing a mental health crisis at the time that was related to his military services.
More information about the Las Vegas attack, and the New Orleans attack, can be found at AP News, ABC News, CBS News, and elsewhere.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/live/new-orleans-truck-attack-updates
https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-attack-bourbon-street-5bbf5fdc715c4d0d4c8764dd8da22720
