A man drove a truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in the French Quarter, leading to an investigation into possible terrorist motives as FBI discovers weapons and an Islamic State flag.
**New Year’s Day Attack in New Orleans Leaves Ten Dead, Investigated as Terrorism**
**New Year’s Day Attack in New Orleans Leaves Ten Dead, Investigated as Terrorism**
At least ten fatalities and numerous injuries resulted from a tragic vehicle attack during New Year's celebrations in New Orleans.
The chaotic scene unfolded around 3:15 a.m. in New Orleans' bustling French Quarter, where revelers were celebrating the turn of the year. Authorities identified the 42-year-old perpetrator as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas. Before police officers fatally shot him, Jabbar drove his pickup truck into the crowd, killing at least ten individuals and injuring approximately thirty-five others.
The FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism, noting that an Islamic State flag, several weapons, and a "potential" improvised explosive were discovered in the vehicle. Investigators are continuing efforts to determine whether Jabbar held connections with terrorist organizations, emphasizing the grim purpose behind the choice of a truck and additional explosives meant to inflict maximum civilian harm.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as one of utter chaos. After crashing the truck, Jabbar reportedly opened fire on the crowd before engaging in a shootout with responding police officers. Two officers sustained injuries but are reported to be in stable condition. This incident has led to discussions on the increasing use of vehicles as weapons in attacks, given their accessibility and the minimal training required for such acts.
This tragic event marks another instance of violence plaguing public celebrations and has left the community grappling with questions of security and safety in the face of rising acts of terror.
The FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism, noting that an Islamic State flag, several weapons, and a "potential" improvised explosive were discovered in the vehicle. Investigators are continuing efforts to determine whether Jabbar held connections with terrorist organizations, emphasizing the grim purpose behind the choice of a truck and additional explosives meant to inflict maximum civilian harm.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as one of utter chaos. After crashing the truck, Jabbar reportedly opened fire on the crowd before engaging in a shootout with responding police officers. Two officers sustained injuries but are reported to be in stable condition. This incident has led to discussions on the increasing use of vehicles as weapons in attacks, given their accessibility and the minimal training required for such acts.
This tragic event marks another instance of violence plaguing public celebrations and has left the community grappling with questions of security and safety in the face of rising acts of terror.
