On January 1, 2025, a car was intentionally driven into the crowd of people gathered for the New Year’s Eve celebration on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. At least 15 people lost their lives while more than 35 were left injured, most critically, in that bloody attack. The heinous act has since been labeled as an act of terrorism, which the FBI recently confirmed was perpetrated by a man inspired by the Islamic State, known commonly as ISIS.
Who is the attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar
The attacker was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an U.S. Army veteran from Texas. He had posted a number of videos on social media days before the attack in which he announced his allegiance to ISIS and declared that he was going to commit violence. In these videos, he said he had intended first to attack his family and friends but then changed his mind for a bigger target as it would, in his opinion, garner more media attention to the “war between believers and disbelievers”.
On December 30, Jabbar rented a Ford F-150 truck and drove to New Orleans, where he carried out his attack early on New Year’s Day. Witnesses reported that he veered around police barricades and then sped up into the crowd. After the impact, Jabbar emerged from the vehicle carrying an assault rifle and exchanged fire with police officers himself, ultimately being killed in that exchange. For more details on who he is, read this article, Who is Shamsud-Din Jabbar, U.S. Army veteran accused of crashing truck at New Year’s Eve party in New Orleans.
ISIS’s claim of responsibility
Although ISIS has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities say Jabbar was “100% inspired by ISIS.” The FBI recovered an ISIS flag from his vehicle and said his actions were consistent with past attacks inspired by the group. Experts say he likely was inspired by ISIS propaganda and online materials that instruct individuals to conduct acts of violence in their home countries.
The FBI’s investigation into Jabbar’s background showed that he had become increasingly radicalized over time. His posts indicated a strong identification with ISIS ideology, which has long called for attacks against civilians in Western countries. The nature of this attack, using a vehicle as a weapon, mirrors tactics employed by other attackers inspired by ISIS in recent years.
The aftermath and community response
The attack sent shockwaves through New Orleans and beyond. Bodies were strewn across Bourbon Street as people ran for their lives, with local officials describing the scene as chaotic. Mayor LaToya Cantrell branded the violence a “terrorist attack,” speaking of the need for community resilience in the face of such evil.
In the days since the tragedy, families have begun to mourn loved ones lost. Among the victims were young aspiring professionals, well-liked members of the community out celebrating New Year’s with a few of them identified in this article, Who were the victims of the New Orleans hit-and-run? Here’s what is known about the people who died in the attack. The community has rallied around those impacted with vigils and memorials held for the victims.
As the inquiry continues, police departments look into whether Jabbar was aided by another individual in planning the attack. There had initially been reports on some possible connections that could have helped; however, at the end he was found as a lone perpetrator.
Lessons learned and issues of security
The incident is of grave concern to issues of domestic terrorism and the continuing menace of radicalized individuals under the influence of extremist ideologies. Experts now warn that though the territorial control of ISIS may be weakening, its ability to inspire lone-wolf attacks certainly hasn’t. New Orleans is a stark reminder of this reality and points to the need for alertness in society.
The FBI will continue to actively monitor potential threats as it strategizes ways of countering efforts of radicalization that have taken cyberspace by storm. This horrible event adds weight to why holistic efforts must be deployed to ensure such events are in the past, specifically discussing national security.
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