Terror Attack in New Orleans Claims 15 Lives

In a tragic incident on New Year’s Day 2025, a driver intentionally rammed a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating in New Orleans, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others. The incident occurred around 3:15 AM on Bourbon Street, a popular area known for its vibrant nightlife and New Year festivities.

The FBI identified the assailant as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran and US citizen from Texas. Jabbar, who had worked as an IT specialist in the military, also operated as a Houston real estate agent.

Details of the Incident

The driver maneuvered around barricades before accelerating into a densely packed crowd. After the initial collision, he exited the vehicle and opened fire, injuring two police officers who responded to the scene.

Initial reports indicated that at least 10 individuals were killed, but this number later rose to 15 as authorities continued to assess the situation. Additionally, dozens of others sustained injuries during the chaos.

The driver was identified as a U.S. Army veteran. Authorities found an ISIS flag inside the truck, leading to speculations about potential motivations behind the attack. However, officials have stated that they do not believe the suspect acted alone.

The Pentagon said Jabbar had served in the army as a human resource specialist and an IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and then in the army reserve until 2020.

He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 until January 2010, an army spokesperson said, adding that he held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the end of his service.

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Tragic New Orleans Attack on New Year’s Eve: 10 Dead, 30 Injured

Official Responses

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the incident as a calculated assault aimed at causing maximum destruction. The FBI has taken over the investigation and is treating it as an act of terrorism[2][3].

President Biden reached out to local officials to offer federal assistance in response to the tragedy. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry condemned the act as horrific violence.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement that his government

“will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”

President-elect Donald Trump immediately linked the attack to illegal immigration, giving no evidence, in a statement made before authorities made clear the suspect was American.

Trump also claimed that the nation’s crime rate

“is at a level that nobody has ever seen.”

In fact, violent crime is sharply down across the country, according to the FBI.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining whether there were accomplices involved in planning or executing the attack. The presence of improvised explosive devices in the vehicle is also being analyzed to determine their functionality and potential role in the incident.