The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has classified the New Orleans truck assault as “an act of terrorism” and is currently leading the investigation.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of New Year’s Eve celebrants on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least ten individuals and left more than 35 others injured.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell condemned the attack as a “terrorist act,” while Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick emphasized the deliberate nature of the event, stating that the perpetrator was determined to cause destruction and chaos.
Here are the latest details regarding the devastating events of January 1, 2025
1. In a post shared on social media platform X, the FBI announced – Early this morning, a man drove a vehicle into a gathering on Bourbon Street, causing multiple fatalities and injuring dozens. The suspect engaged with local law enforcement and was subsequently neutralized. The FBI is now spearheading the investigation and collaborating with partners to assess whether this qualifies as a terrorist attack.
2. Authorities have identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas. An Islamic State flag was reportedly discovered in his vehicle.
3. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump denounced the attack in New Orleans, attributing it to issues related to illegal immigration. I’ve mentioned it previously—some of the criminals entering this country are much more dangerous than those we already face. Once again, I’ve been proven correct,” Trump stated in a social media post. However, officials have not yet confirmed the attacker’s nationality or additional details.
4. US President Joe Biden declared that the United States will not tolerate any attacks on its citizens.
There is absolutely no excuse for violence in any form, and our nation will not accept any assaults on our communities, Biden said in a statement.
5. Authorities reported that after the truck came to a halt, the driver exited the vehicle and began firing at officers who approached the scene. Police officers returned gunfire, mortally injuring the suspect. Two officers sustained injuries but are in stable condition, according to officials. Altogether, 33 individuals were injured in the vehicle attack.
6. Reuters reported that verified video footage from a witness shows at least two twisted bodies lying in the street, with one appearing to be in a pool of blood. A bystander is seen crouching next to one of the victims, while a group of uniformed military personnel in green outfits carrying rifles walks past the scene.
7. According to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness team, the injured were transported to at least five different hospitals. A couple told CBS News they first heard loud crashing sounds and then saw a white truck speeding through a barricade at high speed.**
8. That New Orleans was in the process of replacing and repairing steel bollards designed to restrict vehicle access in the Bourbon Street pedestrian area. The state of the project at the time of Wednesday’s incident is still uncertain.
9. New Orleans, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States, was preparing to host the Sugar Bowl, a major football game featuring the University of Georgia and Notre Dame,
10. Investigators searched the French Quarter for possible explosive devices, according to a law enforcement official who spoke anonymously with the Associated Press.
