New Orleans, LA — In a tragic incident on Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day, a suspected terrorist attack by a U.S. military veteran claimed the lives of at least 10 people and injured dozens more. The assailant, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabba, drove a rented truck adorned with an ISIS flag into a crowd of revelers before being neutralized by police following a brief shootout that also left two officers wounded.
Shamsud-Din Jabba, a Texas native who served 10 years in the U.S. military, commandeered a Ford F-150 Lightning and accelerated into the throngs of partygoers gathered to celebrate the incoming year. His rampage ended abruptly when the truck crashed into a crane serving as an unplanned barricade on the crowded street.
Authorities noted that Jabba was dressed in military attire and seemed determined to inflict maximum damage and chaos. Further investigations led to the discovery of improvised explosive devices near the scene, described as pipe bombs filled with nails, sparking heightened security measures throughout the area.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets in the iconic French Quarter, a location famous for its vibrant nightlife and just hours before the highly anticipated Sugar Bowl college football playoff between Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.
New Orleans Police Chief Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the assailant’s actions as deliberate, indicating that he aimed to “run over as many people as he possibly could.” The police response was swift, with officers engaging in a firefight that resulted in Jabba’s death and stabilized the situation despite their own injuries.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry expressed his condolences in a statement, calling for prayers for the victims and the first responders at the scene. He also urged the public to stay clear of the area to facilitate emergency operations.
President Joe Biden has been kept informed of the developments as the FBI takes the lead in investigating the massacre as an act of terrorism. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, disrupting what should have been a festive celebration of the New Year.
Harrowing witness accounts describe a scene of devastation with multiple casualties. Jimmy Cothran, a witness caught in the vicinity, recounted seeing bodies in the street immediately following the attack, highlighting the gruesome nature of the scene with details of severe injuries observed among the victims.
Police quickly cordoned off the area, and the injured were transported to five nearby hospitals, though the full extent of their injuries remains unknown at this time. As the community reels from this heinous act, the resilience of the first responders and the swift action of law enforcement have been highlighted as critical in preventing further loss of life.