An American former serviceman, reportedly “inspired” by the jihadist organisation Islamic State, drove a rented van into a crowd celebrating the New Year in the tourist-heavy French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured approximately 30 others.
Describing the incident as “heinous,” outgoing US President Joe Biden addressed the public on Wednesday evening, stating that the attacker, after halting the vehicle, opened fire on police officers, who returned fire and fatally shot him. He highlighted that the assailant had uploaded videos to social media suggesting he was “inspired by the Islamic State” and had intended to kill as many people as possible. Biden reassured citizens, saying, “The spirit of New Orleans will never be defeated,” and noted that law enforcement agencies were “working tirelessly” to resolve the incident.
Authorities are investigating potential links between the attacker and terrorist organisations and whether accomplices were involved in the Louisiana attack. While specific details remain undisclosed, US media reported that investigators are examining footage showing three men and a woman allegedly planting explosive devices prior to the attack.
President Biden also mentioned that authorities are probing any potential “connection” between the New Orleans attack, carried out with an electric Ford pickup truck, and the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, which resulted in one fatality. However, he emphasised that “so far, there is no evidence to suggest any link.”
The attack comes less than three weeks before the transfer of power from Democratic President Joe Biden to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, amid a politically charged atmosphere.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Samsuddeen Jabbar, was described by the FBI as a “US citizen from Texas” who served in the US Army from 2007 to 2015, including deployment to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He retired with the rank of staff sergeant, according to the Department of Defence.
Jabbar’s brother, Abdur Jabbar, described him as “loving” but noted that he had been a Muslim from a young age and had undergone a “form of radicalisation” in recent years. A childhood friend told the New York Times that when they reconnected in 2017, he observed that Jabbar had become “deeply passionate” about his faith.
The FBI reported that an Islamic State flag was found inside the rented vehicle, along with two improvised explosive devices—one within the truck and another in the French Quarter—both of which were safely defused. After ramming the vehicle into pedestrians, Jabbar was killed during a shootout with police. Two officers were injured but are reported to be in “stable” condition.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time (11:15 a.m. Cyprus time) when the attacker drove a white pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’ historic Vieux Carré (French Quarter). Sheriff Ann Kilpatrick stated that Jabbar was determined to “kill as many people as possible.”
FBI Special Agent Alithea Duncan stated that authorities do not believe Jabbar acted alone and that he likely had “accomplices.”
Eyewitness Zion Parsons described the scene to CNN as reminiscent of a “war zone,” while another witness, Jim Maurer, told CBS News that the vehicle “sped into the crowd” before the driver exited and began shooting, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police. Maurer added, “We saw many injured people and wanted to help, but sadly, many were already deceased.”
The French Quarter, known for its restaurants, bars, jazz clubs, and colonial-era charm, is also a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. The area is particularly lively during New Year celebrations.
New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, is one of the United States’ most popular tourist destinations, especially for European visitors. The city was set to host the Sugar Bowl, a major college football game, on Wednesday, but the event was postponed by 24 hours following the attack.
🔴 Almeno 10 persone uccise da un autista di un pick-up che si è lanciato contro la folla a New Orleans. Sono seguiti dei colpi di arma da fuoco.@Emergenza24 #NewOrleans #Usa #breaking #news pic.twitter.com/PP26Afl5ns
— DaniDan (@DanieleDann1) January 1, 2025
Also read: Magdeburg Christmas market attack: What we know so far
Photo source: NPR
Source: ANA-MPA
