A horrific car-ramming incident in New Orleans has caused devastation and sorrow during the New Year’s Day festivities in the Louisiana city, with authorities investigating the event as an act of “terrorism.”
Tragically, a Ford pickup truck crashed into the early-morning crowds on Bourbon Street, located in the bustling French Quarter, a popular tourist destination in the United States. At least 10 individuals lost their lives in the attack, while another 35 suffered injuries. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of it being an accident.
The driver of the pickup truck ultimately collided with an obstacle and opened fire on law enforcement while attempting to escape. Two officers were wounded by gunshots, and the suspect was killed in the ensuing confrontation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later identified the suspect as a 42-year-old US citizen named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, hailing from the nearby state of Texas.
During a press briefing in the afternoon, Alethea Duncan, the assistant special agent of the FBI’s New Orleans division, stated that Jabbar was not believed to be the sole perpetrator of the attack and urged the public to provide any additional information they may have.
Investigators discovered what appeared to be an explosive device and an ISIL (ISIS)-affiliated flag in the suspect’s vehicle.
The violence on Bourbon Street elicited condolences from various US leaders, including outgoing President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump. Biden condemned the attack, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.
New Orleans, nestled along the Mississippi River, is renowned for its Cajun culture, characterized by a fusion of French, African, and Indigenous customs. The city’s French Quarter remains a prime attraction for tourists seeking to experience New Orleans-style jazz, cuisine, and entertainment, generating substantial tourism revenue annually.
An investigation into the car-ramming incident is currently underway, with the FBI at the forefront of the inquiry. The motive behind the attack has not yet been disclosed.
Nevertheless, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stressed that the assault was deliberately orchestrated.
“This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil,” she remarked at the press conference. “And in the face of evil, we have a choice.”
“As the chief of police in this city, I assure you that New Orleans has faced challenges in the past. However, adversity purifies and strengthens us,” she added.
