On Wednesday, Bourbon Street, renowned globally for its vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations, became a scene of tragedy and terror.
The FBI is investigating the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter, where a pickup truck plowed into a crowd, leaving at least 15 dead and over 30 injured.
The FBI has classified the attack as an act of terrorism and suspects the driver had accomplices.
On Wednesday, Bourbon Street, renowned for its world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations, was transformed into a scene of devastation.
The bustling crowds had gathered not just for the holiday festivities but also for the much-anticipated Sugar Bowl college football playoff game. The joyous atmosphere quickly turned to chaos and shock.
In response to the tragedy, the Sugar Bowl, scheduled to take place at the nearby Superdome, was postponed until Thursday night as the city grappled with the aftermath of the attack.
What We Know About the New Orleans Attack:
Police reported that at 3:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday, during New Year’s celebrations, the driver bypassed a police blockade and plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street.
At least 15 people lost their lives, and 33 others were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. Two police officers were also wounded during a shootout with the suspect but are reported to be in stable condition.
The FBI revealed that authorities discovered potential explosive devices in the French Quarter. Surveillance footage, cited in a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press, captured three men and a woman placing one of several improvised explosive devices in the area.
Who Was the Driver Behind the Attack?
The FBI has identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas. An Islamic State group flag was discovered attached to the vehicle’s trailer hitch. Investigators are examining whether Jabbar had any connections to terrorist organizations.
Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, stated that authorities believe Jabbar did not act alone.
Police Describe the Driver’s Intent
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick characterized the driver as “hell-bent on creating carnage,” stating that he deliberately aimed to strike as many people as possible.
What Did Authorities Discover During the Investigation?
According to a State Police bulletin, guns and pipe bombs were recovered from the suspect’s vehicle. The explosive devices were hidden inside coolers and equipped with remote detonation mechanisms, along with a remote control found in the truck.
The Rise of Vehicle-Based Attacks
The New Orleans attack highlights the growing threat of vehicles being weaponized in acts of mass violence. Law enforcement officials express increasing concern, noting the challenges of preventing such attacks due to their unpredictable nature.
Last month, a similar incident occurred in Magdeburg, Germany, where a 50-year-old Saudi doctor drove into a Christmas market, killing four women and a 9-year-old boy.
