A US Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, wielding a Daesh flag, drove his truck into a crowd in New Orleans’ French Quarter on New Year’s Day, killing 15 people.
At around 3:15 a.m., Jabbar, a veteran who had served in Afghanistan, instigated the attack near the busy intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a location famous for its lively nightlife, injuring about 30 individuals, including two police officers.
In response to the tragedy, authorities are actively pursuing leads on potential accomplices after discovering weapons and possible explosives in Jabbar’s vehicle. The FBI also safely neutralized two other devices found in the area.
Due to ongoing safety concerns, officials rescheduled the Sugar Bowl and heightened security measures as the city prepares to host the NFL Super Bowl on February 9.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan noted the potential involvement of multiple individuals, stating, “We do not believe that Jabbar acted alone. We are vigorously pursuing all leads, including his known associates.”
The victims included a recently promoted mother, a visiting New York finance worker and former student-athlete, and an aspiring nurse from Mississippi, all celebrating the holiday season.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “despicable” and noted that an ongoing investigation is exploring potential connections to other violent incidents. However, investigators have not yet established any links.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a real estate professional in Houston, served in the military from 2007 to 2020, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Witnesses near the scene described hearing an engine revving, a loud crash, and the ensuing screams and sounds of destruction.
Around 400 officers were present in the French Quarter at the time of the incident. Some had set up a temporary barrier to protect pedestrians. This incident has prompted increased efforts to enhance security in the area, especially in anticipation of the upcoming Super Bowl.
