A man drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter early New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, officials confirmed.
The truck had a black ISIS flag displayed on its rear bumper, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
The suspect was identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, according to the FBI. In televised remarks on Wednesday evening, President Biden stated that just hours before the attack, Jabbar had posted videos on social media expressing inspiration from ISIS and a desire to kill.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar
The vehicle used, an electric Ford pickup truck, appeared to have been rented, FBI officials said. Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick noted on social media that Jabbar had rented the truck on December 30 while living in Houston, before traveling to New Orleans.
At a press conference Wednesday, FBI Special Agent Alethea Duncan revealed that investigators suspect Jabbar may not have acted alone and are examining a “range of suspects” who might have assisted in planning the attack. Officials are also investigating potential links Jabbar may have had to terrorist organizations.
While no group, including ISIS, has claimed responsibility for the attack, sources told a news agency that Jabbar maneuvered around police barricades to drive onto the crowded sidewalk, intending to hit as many people as possible.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick explained that despite barriers and police presence, Jabbar managed to bypass them. After crashing the truck, he exited the vehicle and opened fire on responding officers. Jabbar was killed during an exchange of gunfire with three officers, police confirmed. Two officers sustained gunshot wounds but were reported to be in stable condition.
Trajectory of the car Jabbar used before it plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter
Weapons, including a long gun with a suppressor, were recovered at the scene, along with two potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the truck. Another IED was found in the French Quarter and safely detonated by law enforcement. These findings have led investigators to believe that Jabbar may have had accomplices.
Video footage is being reviewed to identify any accomplices involved in placing the explosives. However, no additional IEDs were found during a sweep of the area, Duncan stated.
The suspect, who was reportedly wearing body armor, had been staying at an Airbnb in New Orleans’ St. Roch area. That property later caught fire on Wednesday, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
FBI officials, Homeland Security agents, and bomb squad personnel are working together on the case. Duncan urged anyone with information about Jabbar or the incident to contact the FBI. A U.S. official confirmed that Jabbar previously served in the U.S. military.
