15 dead, dozens injured in New Orleans car terror attack

January 2, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

In this photo taken June 23, 2014, fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq. AP Photo/File

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NEW ORLEANS – AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE were killed on New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street on Wednesday morning in an apparent attack inspired by terror group ISIS, reports the New York Times, with dozens more injured. Authorities have not yet made public the names of the victims, many of whom are currently in critical condition, but family members of some have named the dead, who include a New York-based financial analyst, teenagers, parents and others. The death toll includes the suspect, according to a clarification made by the FBI on Thursday.

According to law enforcement, the suspect, identified as Texas native Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, at around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday entered a segment of Bourbon Street crowded with New Year’s party-goers by driving around a parked police car, and proceeded to drive through the crowd at high speeds for three blocks before crashing into the base of a crane. He then allegedly exited his rented pickup truck carrying a firearm and fired at police officers, hitting and injuring two, before being shot and killed at the scene.

Authorities discovered an apparent black-and-white ISIS flag, as well as homemade explosive devices, in the car. Other explosive devices were found in locations around the city, and law enforcement spent Wednesday and Thursday investigating whether the shooter acted alone and whether there is an ongoing threat. Early reports indicated that four additional people, including three men and a woman, may have assisted in placing the bombs. At a Thursday press conference, however, the FBI said it now believes Jabbar acted alone.

Officials respond: Grief and anger, no known threat to NYC

Speaking from Camp David, President Biden expressed sorrow and vowed to offer assistance to New Orleans: “So many people around the world love New Orleans because of its history, its culture and, above all, its people. So I know while this person committed a terrible assault on the city, the spirit of our New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated. It always will shine forth,” Biden said. Biden also said Jabbar had uploaded videos supporting ISIS to social media in the day before the attack.

Governor Hochul in a press statement echoed the sentiment, and said that New York is monitoring the situation but does not know of any active terror threat to the city at this time: “Additional information is continuing to come to light, but public reporting suggests this attacker may not have acted alone. Although there is no known connection to New York State, I have nonetheless directed the New York State Police (NYSP) to be on high alert as details about this attack continue to unfold.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in a press statement agreed with the governor, writing: “Preliminary review of the alleged perpetrator’s background, actions, and online presence have not revealed any ties to New York City. However, in an abundance of caution, the NYPD will continue to enhance presence across the city at relevant locations as warranted.”

Also on Wednesday, a Tesla Cybertruck parked at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas exploded and burst into flames, killing its driver and injuring seven bystanders. While some speculated the electric vehicle’s volatile lithium ion battery could have been the cause, video of the incident shows numerous secondary explosions from fireworks following the initial blast, while images of the truck’s trunk show it packed with incendiary materials. Authorities are looking into whether there is a connection to the New Orleans attack.

This is a developing story.

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