A man drove a vehicle flying an Islamic State flag into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans, killing 10 people and injuring at least 35 others. Police identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas, who died in a shootout with law enforcement.
The FBI is investigating possible links to terrorist organizations. So far, no group has claimed responsibility.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that Jabbar was “hell-bent on creating carnage.” He bypassed barriers to drive into Bourbon Street, an iconic venue for celebrations.
Wearing an armored vest, Jabbar plowed into the crowd before exiting the truck and opening fire on police. Officers shot him dead. Two police personnel were injured during the confrontation.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was found in the vehicle, and additional suspicious devices were discovered in the French Quarter. The FBI neutralized some through controlled explosions.
President Biden, Trump Respond
President Joe Biden denounced the attack as “horrific” and said he was being “continually briefed” by federal law enforcement. He expressed “anger” and “frustration” over the incident.
President-elect Donald Trump called the attack “pure evil” and reiterated his stance on criminal elements entering the country.
A Growing Threat: Vehicle Weaponization In Terrorist Attacks
The New Orleans attack highlights a rising trend of weaponizing vehicles in terror incidents. It occurred shortly before the Sugar Bowl, an event attracting thousands.
Recent examples include a Saudi national’s car attack in Germany, killing five, and the 2016 Nice attack in France, where a truck killed 86 people. In the US, incidents like Charlottesville and Waukesha involved vehicles as weapons.
Despite heightened security, New Year celebrations elsewhere, such as New York’s Times Square, proceeded without incident.
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