Additional Coverage:
New Orleans New Year’s Attack
In the early hours of January 1st, a horrific attack occurred in the French Quarter of New Orleans during New Year’s Eve celebrations. An armed man drove a speeding truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 30. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
The truck crashed into the crowd at high speed, and the driver exited the vehicle and began firing on police officers. Three officers returned fire, and two of them were shot and are in stable condition. The driver was fatally shot by police.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, was a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran who lived in Texas. He appeared to be carrying an ISIS flag and was dressed in military gear. An ISIS flag was also found in the truck.
The FBI believes Jabbar was not acting alone and is searching for other potential accomplices. Two potential explosive devices were safely neutralized and removed from the scene.
The attack has shaken the city of New Orleans. Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the driver was on a mission to kill as many people as possible. Over 300 police officers were on duty at the time of the attack.
Details about the victims are slowly emerging. Tiger Bech, a 28-year-old from Louisiana, died as a result of his injuries. A University of Georgia student was also critically injured.
The Sugar Bowl football game, which was scheduled to take place in New Orleans on Wednesday night, has been postponed 24 hours to Thursday. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has mobilized the National Guard to help protect the city.
Bourbon Street remains closed as an active crime scene. The French Quarter is known for its vibrant culture and is a popular tourist destination.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the attack and is directing all federal resources to assist in the investigation. President-elect Donald Trump has condemned the attack as “pure evil.”
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., has heightened security in the city as a precaution, although there are no known threats.
Security measures have also been enhanced at other college bowl games, including the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
New Orleans police are deploying resources at a level similar to other recent major events to ensure the safety of the city during upcoming events.