An attack with a van in New Orleans left at least 15 dead and 35 injured in the early hours of January 1, according to local authorities. The incident, which occurred on the iconic Bourbon Street, was carried out by Shamsud Din Jabbara 42-year-old American citizen from Texas, who was killed in a confrontation with police.
security camera images obtained by Fox 8 New Orleans show how Jabbar maneuvered his truck through traffic on Canal Street before swerving onto Bourbon Street. The attacker dodged a police vehicle, accelerated violently and ran over a crowd gathered in the area to celebrate the New Year.
The truck He traveled almost two blocks before crashing into a tow truck parked in the middle of the street. Jabbar was then killed following a shootout with security officers, who quickly responded to the incident.
According to a statement from the FBI, the attack is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism due to the presence of a flag of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the attacker’s vehicle. Inside the truck, a Ford F-150 Lightning with a Texas license plate, weapons and homemade bombs were also found.
Bourbon Street was packed with residents and tourists celebrating the start of 2025 and attending events leading up to the Sugar Bowl college football gamescheduled at the nearby Superdome. Following the attack, the game between Georgia and Notre Dame was postponed until Thursday night.
Anne KirkpatrickNew Orleans police chief, described Jabbar as someone “determined to create the massacre and the damage he caused” by trying to run over as many people as possible.
The FBI reported that, in addition to the weapons found in the vehicle, other possible explosive devices were located in the French Quarter. According to an intelligence bulletin from the Louisiana State Police, surveillance images show three men and a woman installing one of these devices in the area.
Alethea DuncanFBI special agent, mentioned that investigations suggest that Jabbar could have had accomplices, although no further details about his identity have been revealed.
The attack occurred amid a city of New Orleans project to replace security bollards on Bourbon Street, designed to prevent vehicular incidents like this one. The works, which began in November, seek to replace the old barriers with new stainless steel structures.
Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans is the latest example of a vehicle being used as a weapon around the world to carry out acts of mass violence. This trend has alarmed law enforcement authorities, as it can be difficult to protect yourself from these types of attacks. Last month, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor crashed into a Christmas market packed with shoppers in the German city of Magdeburg, killing four women and a 9-year-old boy.
(With information from AP)
