A New Year’s Eve celebration in New Orleans turned deadly when a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. Authorities have identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran and Texas resident. The attack is being investigated for potential links to terrorism after an Islamic State (ISIS) flag was found in the vehicle.
Jabbar, who was killed in a shootout with police following the incident, had reportedly posted videos online hours before the attack, expressing admiration for ISIS. President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “despicable” and confirmed that federal agencies are investigating Jabbar's possible connections to the extremist group.
The assault occurred around 3:15 a.m. near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, an area crowded with revelers. Jabbar, driving a white Ford F-150 electric pickup, plowed into pedestrians before exiting the vehicle and engaging in gunfire with police. Two officers were wounded in the exchange. Two homemade explosives found at the scene were safely neutralized.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar as a “terrorist” who was “hellbent on carnage.” FBI agent Alethea Duncan warned that Jabbar may not have acted alone, stating, “We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible.” A nationwide manhunt is underway to locate possible accomplices.
The FBI has conducted searches in multiple states, including Jabbar’s hometown of Houston. Authorities are also examining whether the attack is linked to a separate explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside a hotel in Las Vegas, though no definitive connection has been established.
Jabbar, a former IT specialist and human resources officer in the U.S. Army, served from 2007 to 2015, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He continued in the Army Reserve until 2020. Officials are investigating his motivations and whether his military background played a role in the attack.
Witnesses described the scene in New Orleans as chaotic and horrifying. Bystanders reported bodies, blood, and panicked screams as the vehicle barreled through the crowd. Zion Parsons, who was present, called it “a war zone,” while another witness, Jimmy Cothran, said the aftermath was “insanity.”
The attack has cast a shadow over New Orleans, a popular tourist destination set to host major events, including the Sugar Bowl and the Super Bowl, in the coming weeks. The Sugar Bowl, originally scheduled for New Year’s Day, has been postponed to allow authorities to secure the area.
The investigation continues as officials work to determine the full scope of Jabbar’s actions and any potential network involved.
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