The New Year's Eve celebration turned into a nightmare for New Orleans as a terrorist attack struck the heart of the city, the French Quarter. In the early hours of the morning, a man driving a pickup truck wreaked havoc along Bourbon Street, plowing into the celebratory crowd and opening fire on pedestrians. The toll of this tragedy stands at least at 15 deaths and over 30 injuries, with the number expected to rise due to the critical condition of some victims.
The Attack and Its Perpetrator
The attacker has been identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old American citizen and military veteran from Texas. Jabbar deliberately drove his vehicle into the crowd, showing clear intent to cause as many fatalities as possible.
After running over pedestrians, Jabbar exited the pickup truck and opened fire on the crowd and responding police officers. During the ensuing gunfight, Jabbar was killed by law enforcement.
In Jabbar’s vehicle, authorities found an ISIS flag, firearms, and potential explosive devices, immediately directing the investigation towards Islamist terrorism.
Authorities are working to determine whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices. The FBI has not ruled out the involvement of others in the attack.
President Biden confirmed that hours before the attack, Jabbar posted videos on social media expressing his inspiration by ISIS and his desire to kill.
The Victims and the Aftermath
Among the victims are two Israeli citizens and a student from the University of Georgia who remains critically injured. Other victims have been identified, including Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, Tiger Bech, a former football player, and Nicole Perez, a 28-year-old single mother.
The attack shocked the city and led to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, a major college football game that was scheduled to take place in New Orleans. The event has been rescheduled for Thursday.
The attack also highlighted security vulnerabilities in the area. Barriers meant to prevent vehicle access to Bourbon Street were under repair, and Jabbar was able to bypass a police checkpoint.
Authorities have advised citizens and tourists to avoid the French Quarter as investigations continue, with police conducting searches and checks in the surrounding area.
Reactions and Investigations
Local authorities, including the mayor of New Orleans, immediately labeled the attack as a terrorist act. The FBI, initially cautious, later confirmed they are investigating it as a terrorist attack, not ruling out an international connection.
The FBI is working to reconstruct Jabbar’s movements, contacts, and motivations, analyzing his social media profiles and information gathered at the scene.
The attack has sparked international reactions, with many political leaders expressing solidarity with the victims and condemning the act of violence.
Donald Trump linked the New Orleans attack to illegal immigration, an assertion not supported by any investigative evidence.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the full extent of this tragedy. This attack, which struck a city known for its vibrancy and joy, serves as a reminder of the fragility of security and the importance of staying vigilant in the face of terrorism.
Sources:
CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, CBN, Global News, Al Jazeera, El Pais, Il Giornale, Fanpage, Open, New York Times, France24, The Guardian, Haaretz, Daily Express - World News, South China Morning Post, Affari Italiani, Adnkronos, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Il Foglio, Huffington Post, ANSA, Il Post, Il Sole 24 Ore.
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