An American citizen, brandishing an Islamic State flag and “determined” to cause chaos, drove a pickup truck into a gathering of New Year celebrants in New Orleans. This tragic incident resulted in at least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries, according to officials.
The FBI has identified the assailant as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas and a veteran of the Army. Jabbar appeared to be employed as a real estate agent in Houston and previously served as an IT specialist in the military.
Authorities are investigating potential accomplices but have not released specific details.
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick labeled Jabbar a “terrorist,” while the FBI confirmed that “an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle,” referring to the Islamic State armed group.
The French Quarter, in proximity to Bourbon Street, is cordoned off with significant police and FBI presence.
Officials announced that a manhunt is in progress, with FBI agent Alethea Duncan cautioning that authorities “do not believe Jabbar acted alone.”
“We’re tracking down some dangerous individuals,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated.
Initial reports indicated 10 casualties, but an FBI spokesperson later informed AFP that the number had risen to 15, according to the New Orleans coroner’s office.
Aiming for ‘destruction’
According to police, the incident unfolded around 3:15 am (9:15 am Irish time) in the bustling French Quarter, where large crowds were celebrating the arrival of 2025.
The suspect drove a white Ford F-150 electric pickup truck into a cluster of pedestrians, exited the vehicle, and was subsequently killed in a gunfire exchange with police, resulting in injuries to two officers. The FBI reported that two homemade bombs were also discovered and neutralized.
“This individual was attempting to run over as many people as he could,” Ms. Kirkpatrick communicated to the press.
Police and investigators surround the white Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Driving at “incredibly high speeds” and displaying “intentionality,” “he was determined to inflict the havoc and destruction that occurred,” Ms. Kirkpatrick remarked.
The injured officers are reported to be in stable condition, with Ms. Kirkpatrick affirming their recovery.
The Pentagon disclosed that Jabbar served in the military as a human resource specialist and IT specialist from 2007 to 2015 and continued in the army reserve until 2020.
He was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, an army spokesperson stated, noting that he held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the end of his service.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack, asserting that his administration “will not tolerate any assault on any of our nation’s communities.”
President-elect Donald Trump hastily connected the attack to illegal immigration, albeit without evidence, before officials clarified the suspect’s American identity.
Mr. Trump also alleged that the crime rate in the nation “is higher than it has ever been.” However, according to the FBI, violent crime has significantly decreased nationwide.
Chaos in a historic district
In the early hours of the new year, partygoers were reveling in the French Quarter, a district celebrated for its bars, restaurants, jazz heritage, and Mardi Gras festivities.
The city police department had reported being at ‘full capacity’, with officers on horseback and utilizing unmarked vehicles.
Bystander Zion Parsons recounted how the celebration rapidly turned into a scene of horror.
“The best comparison I can make is to a war zone,” he relayed to CNN. “There were bodies and blood everywhere, along with debris.”
“People were petrified, running and screaming,” he recalled.
Another witness, Jimmy Cothran, described the chaos as “insanity.”
“We immediately counted approximately 10 bodies – six appeared to be clearly deceased, while the others were in distress without help,” he noted.
New Orleans is among the most frequented tourist spots in the United States and is set to host the NFL’s Super Bowl on February 9, one of the year’s largest sporting events.
The incident occurred just hours before the city was scheduled to host the Sugar Bowl, a significant college football game featuring teams from the University of Georgia and Notre Dame.
This game has been postponed for 24 hours, officials announced.
Policing had already been intensified over the New Year’s holiday, as the city prepared for substantial crowds.
The city police department indicated it was staffed at “100 percent,” with an additional 300 officers from partner law enforcement agencies on hand, including on horseback and in unmarked units.
‘Any potential connection’
US President Joe Biden remarked that investigators were looking into “any potential connection” between the tragic truck-ramming incident in New Orleans and an explosion involving a Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.
Law enforcement is examining the Tesla vehicle explosion “including whether there’s any possible link to the attack in New Orleans,” Mr. Biden informed reporters, adding: “So far, there is nothing further to report in that regard.”
Global outrage
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has expressed condolences to those affected by the New Orleans attack, which has resulted in 15 fatalities and many injuries.
In a statement on X, Mr. Martin expressed, “I’m shocked and horrified by the suspected terror attack that has resulted in ten deaths and countless injuries in New Orleans.”
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all the victims and their families.
“Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of New Orleans and the United States during this somber time,” he affirmed.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also joined numerous world leaders in condemning the “shockingly violent” act in New Orleans.
Mr. Starmer conveyed his thoughts to the victims, their families, and the broader US community following the incident at the city’s busy Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz characterized the attack as “senseless hatred,” while French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that “New Orleans, cherished by the French, has been struck by terrorism.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte voiced his “deep sadness” regarding the “horrific attack,” and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and the people of the United States.
