Louisiana lawmakers on Wednesday condemned the “evil” driving attack in New Orleans, in which a truck plowed through the crowds on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
Ten people were killed and dozens more were injured in the incident that federal law enforcement is investigating as an “act of terrorism.” The driver, who has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police.
“2025 quickly took a tragic turn in New Orleans,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) wrote on the social platform X. “Instead of waking up to a Happy New Year, we are grieving the loss of innocent lives and praying for all those who have been injured.”
“Our city, state, and country are hurting,” he continued. “I want to thank our law enforcement officers who ran towards danger to protect lives. May our collective New Year’s resolution be to spread love in the face of evil.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) denounced the attack as “an act of pure evil” and said that “justice must be swift for anyone who was involved.”