A U.S. Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a truck displaying an ISIS flag into crowds in New Orleans’ French Quarter on New Year’s Day, killing 15 and injuring 30, including two police officers. Jabbar, a Texas native and former Afghanistan Army veteran, was killed in a shootout with police. Weapons and explosive devices were found in his vehicle and nearby areas, prompting a citywide search for accomplices and explosives.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. near Canal and Bourbon Streets, a popular tourist area. Officials postponed the annual Sugar Bowl football game as investigations continued. FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan stated that authorities were pursuing Jabbar’s associates and examining his online videos expressing support for ISIS.
President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “despicable,” noting no confirmed link to a Tesla truck fire outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. Victims included a young mother, a visiting student athlete, and an aspiring nurse. Witnesses described chaos, screams, and debris as the truck rammed through the barriers.
Jabbar, who served in the Army and Reserve from 2007 to 2020, had posted videos of extremist ideologies before the attack. New Orleans police had implemented temporary barriers in the area, but they were overcome. Permanent safety measures are being expedited before the upcoming Super Bowl.
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