Deadly New Year's attack on bourbon street: man drives vehicle into crowd, killing 10
New York (The Uttam Hindu): In a chilling act of violence early on January 1 a man drove a vehicle flying an Islamic State flag into a crowd on Bourbon Street New Orleans celebrating the New Year. The attack which left 10 people dead and at least 35 injured has been described by officials as a deliberate act of carnage. The suspect identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar a U.S. citizen from Texas was shot and killed by police after opening fire at officers. The FBI is investigating Jabbar's possible connections to terrorist organizations although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the attacker was determined to create as much chaos as possible bypassing barricades to drive his vehicle into the iconic location. Jabbar who wore an armored vest exited his truck and began firing at law enforcement before being killed in a shootout. Two officers were injured during the exchange. An improvised explosive device (IED) was found on Jabbar's vehicle and other potential IEDs were discovered in New Orleans' French Quarter. The FBI in coordination with local law enforcement, is working to determine the viability of these devices with some being safely neutralized through controlled explosions.
The attack occurred hours before the Sugar Bowl a major annual college football event was set to take place in the city. President Joe Biden condemned the attack as "horrific" expressing his anger and frustration. President-elect Donald Trump also reacted calling the act "pure evil" and reinforcing his earlier warnings about the dangers posed by criminals crossing into the U.S. Jabbar who had lived in Houston had minor run-ins with law enforcement in the past including charges of theft and driving with a suspended license. He also had involvement in divorce and child support cases. Authorities believe he may have used a rental truck to carry out the attack. This incident echoes a disturbing global trend where terrorists have increasingly weaponized vehicles in attacks following similar incidents in Germany and France. In the U.S. vehicle-based attacks have also occurred in recent years including the 2017 Charlottesville attack and the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade incident.The New Orleans attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism highlighting the vulnerability of large public gatherings and the increasing use of vehicles in acts of terror. As the investigation continues authorities are focused on understanding the motivations behind Jabbar's actions and whether it was part of a broader network.
