The FBI has officially classified a devastating attack in New Orleans as an “act of terrorism” after a suspect drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning.
The tragedy claimed ten lives and left at least 35 injured, including several critically.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time in the French Quarter, a bustling hub known for its vibrant nightlife and popularity with tourists. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the truck plowed through a dense crowd celebrating the New Year. Following the collision, the suspect opened fire on responding police officers before being fatally shot.
New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Chief Anne Kirkpatrick called the attack “horrific” and emphasized the deliberate nature of the violence. “The driver was hell-bent on creating the carnage he did,” she said at a briefing. Bystanders tried to assist the wounded while others fled the scene in panic.
Federal officials have identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar. Details about his background and potential motives remain under investigation, but the FBI has confirmed that the incident is being treated as terrorism.
During the investigation, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered near the scene, prompting immediate action by bomb technicians. At least one device was reportedly subjected to a controlled detonation. The FBI is working to determine the origin and intended use of these explosives.
Initially, there was confusion over whether the attack qualified as an act of terrorism. While New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell referred to the event as a “terrorist attack” early on, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Alethea Duncan contradicted her, stating, “This is not a terrorist event.” However, subsequent developments, including the discovery of IEDs, led the FBI to reassess the situation and formally classify the attack as terrorism.
The attack has left New Orleans grieving as families mourn the loss of loved ones and the injured recover. Mayor Cantrell expressed the city’s solidarity with the victims, stating, “We will not allow acts of terror to define who we are as a community.”
The investigation remains ongoing as federal and local agencies work to piece together the suspect’s motivations and ensure public safety.
BREAKING: The truck that the t*rrorist used to plow into a crowd in New Orleans, k*lling 10, entered the US through Eagle Pass, Texas 2 days ago. pic.twitter.com/9c3oaH5TEY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 1, 2025
And wouldn’t ya know it? He conveniently had an ISIS flag in the back of his Ute. Time to get out the pitchforks and demand an end to this sort of thing.