New Orleans Attack: 15 Dead in Tragic New Year’s Celebration Incident

The city of New Orleans was struck by tragedy early Wednesday morning during New Year’s celebrations on Bourbon Street when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd, leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, is now at the center of an FBI investigation that is treating the incident as an “act of terrorism.”

This devastating event has left the city and the nation reeling. Here’s what we know so far:

The Suspect: Shamsud-Din Jabbar

Authorities have identified Jabbar as the driver responsible for the attack. Jabbar, who served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2020, made a series of video recordings before the attack, in which he claimed allegiance to ISIS. These videos appear to have been made at night while Jabbar was driving.

According to an Army spokesperson, Jabbar served as a human resources and information technology specialist, and his active duty included deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. Despite his military service, officials are now scrutinizing his actions leading up to the attack and any potential radicalization.

The Attack

The attack unfolded on Bourbon Street, one of New Orleans’ busiest and most iconic thoroughfares. Witnesses described the horrifying moment when the pickup truck sped into the crowd, striking revelers gathered for the New Year’s celebrations.

Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, cordoning off the area and evacuating injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

Surveillance Video and Investigation Updates

Initially, federal investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing three men and one woman in the French Quarter, suspecting their involvement in placing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area. However, new information has cleared these individuals of any connection to the attack.

The FBI is actively pursuing other leads to determine whether Jabbar acted alone or had assistance. Investigators are also focusing on his motives, exploring whether the attack was premeditated or linked to external groups.

The Vehicle and Turo’s Role

The pickup truck used in the attack was rented through Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform. Turo confirmed that their platform was used to rent vehicles involved in both the New Orleans attack and a recent vehicle explosion in Las Vegas. The company has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement to support ongoing investigations.

Blood Donations Needed

Hospitals in the New Orleans area, including two facilities under the Ochsner Health system, have been overwhelmed by the number of injured victims. Ochsner Health, a leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, has issued an urgent call for blood donations to help treat those impacted by the attack.

Local organizations and residents have responded by organizing donation drives to support the victims and their families.