On Wednesday, a horrific attack unfolded in New Orleans, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US Army veteran from Texas, drove a Ford F-150 electric pickup truck into a crowd of New Year revellers, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people. The vehicle displayed the Islamic State (ISIS) flag, and hours before the attack, Jabbar had posted videos on social media expressing his admiration for ISIS and his desire to kill.
FBI Investigation
The FBI revealed that Jabbar was not only inspired by ISIS but had also expressed violent intentions online. The authorities are working to understand his connections with terrorist organizations and to assess any broader threats. President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “despicable” and emphasized that there was “no justification for violence of any kind.”
According to the FBI, Jabbar was a US citizen, who served in the Army for many years and had been in the Army Reserve until a few years ago. His vehicle, which was rented for the attack, contained not only the ISIS flag but also possible explosives. The authorities found pipe bombs and other improvised explosives both inside the vehicle and nearby. The investigation is ongoing.
Attack Details
The attack took place on Bourbon Street, a popular area in New Orleans, where the truck plowed through the crowd, creating chaos and panic. Witnesses described the scene as a nightmare, with people being thrown into the air as the truck sped through. Zion Parsons, an eyewitness, recalled the gruesome scene, saying, “Bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering.” Among the victims was Parsons’ friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, who was killed in the attack.
Police Response
After Jabbar exited the truck and began firing at responding officers, he was shot and killed by the police. Two officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire but are reported to be in stable condition. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the attack as “evil” and stated that the suspect was “hell-bent on creating the carnage.”
FBI’s Statement
The FBI stated that Jabbar might not have acted alone. Multiple improvised explosives were found, including two pipe bombs hidden inside coolers and wired for remote detonation. Authorities are still piecing together the full details of the attack, and they urged the public not to jump to conclusions while the investigation continues.
This tragic event, which turned a festive street into a scene of terror, is being treated as a serious act of terrorism, with authorities working to understand the full scope of Jabbar’s motives and potential accomplices.
