Six survivors and the father of a man killed in a New Year’s truck attack filed a lawsuit Thursday against the city of New Orleans and two contractors.
The suit alleges negligence in failing to protect crowds from an Army veteran who bypassed a police blockade and drove down Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 deaths and injuries to at least 30 others.
Why It Matters
The FBI is investigating the incident that occurred on Bourbon Street during New Year’s celebrations as an act of terrorism. A key line of inquiry is whether the attack was orchestrated or inspired by a foreign terrorist group. The suspect in the attack has been identified by the FBI as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.
What To Know
The lawsuit, filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court by attorney Matthew Hemmer of the Morris Bart Law Firm, describes the attack by Jabbar as both tragic and preventable. It alleges the incident left six victims with broken bones, severe physical pain and emotional trauma, while claiming the life of Brandon Taylor. Jabbar was fatally shot during a confrontation with police.
The plaintiffs, seeking unspecified damages, include Alexis Windham, who sustained both gunshot and impact injuries to her foot, and Corian Evans, Jalen Lilly, Justin Brown, Shara Frison and Gregory Townsend, who suffered broken bones and other injuries. Brandon Taylor’s father, Joseph Taylor, is also among those filing the lawsuit. Windham, Evans, Lilly and Brown are from Alabama, while Frison and Townsend hail from Missouri…