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Authorities say a pickup truck driver drove through a crowd of pedestrians gathered in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter early New Year’s Day morning, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 30 other revelers. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and doesn’t imagine the driver acted alone.
Wednesday’s attack took place on Bourbon Street, known around the world as one in every of the biggest New Year’s Eve party spots. Large crowds also gathered in the city ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl, which is scheduled for later Wednesday at the nearby Superdome. Due to the attack, the match was postponed to Thursday afternoon.
Here’s what we know about the attack:
What happened?
Police said the driver avoided a police roadblock and drove through the crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers gathered to have a good time the New Year. At least 15 people were killed and about 30 injured. The condition of the two law enforcement officials injured in the shootout with the suspect is stable.
The FBI said authorities also found potential explosives in the French Quarter. Surveillance footage shows three men and a lady placing one in every of multiple improvised explosive devices, in line with a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
Who is the driver and what was his motive?
The FBI says the driver was 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas.
The FBI said a flag representing the Islamic State was found on the trailer hitch of the vehicle. The office is trying to find out whether Jabbar was related to any terrorist organizations.
Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said during a news conference that the agency didn’t imagine Jabbar acted alone.
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the driver was “very keen on causing carnage and damage” and was attempting to “run over as many people as possible”.
Jabbar enlisted in the Army in March 2007, working in each human resources and data technology. From February 2009 to January 2010, he was in Afghanistan, after which in 2015 he was transferred to the US Army Reserve, the service said in a press release. Jabbar served until July 2020, leaving the military with the rank of staff sergeant.
What did the authorities find during the investigation?
According to the State Police bulletin, weapons and pipe bombs were found in the suspect’s vehicle. The bulletin said the devices were hidden in fridges and wired to detonate remotely using a handheld remote control also found in the vehicle.
Who was in the crowd?
Authorities said Bourbon Street was filled with revelers toasting the start of 2025 when the attack occurred. Crowds in New Orleans also took to the air in anticipation of the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Notre Dame. This match was postponed to Thursday evening.
What protections apply to pedestrians on Bourbon Street?
City documents show New Orleans was in the middle of a significant project to remove and replace bollards, called bollards, designed to stop vehicle attacks along Bourbon Street. The project began in November and involves replacing the old posts with latest, removable chrome steel posts.
Have there been similar fatal vehicle attacks?
Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans is the latest example of a vehicle getting used as a weapon to perform mass violence. This trend has concerned law enforcement officials because it will probably be difficult to guard against such attacks. Last month, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor drove right into a Christmas market filled with customers in the German city of Magdeburg, killing 4 women and a 9-year-old boy.
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Associated Press reporter Tara Copp reported from Washington.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that the Sugar Bowl has been moved to Thursday afternoon as an alternative of Thursday evening.
