NEW ORLEANS — A driver plowed a pickup truck into a crowd shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter and began shooting, killing 10 people and injuring at least 35 others.
Authorities are investigating the violence as an act of terrorism.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets. After crashing, officials said the driver exited the vehicle and began shooting at responding officers, who returned fire, neutralizing the suspect.
“This is a fluid situation and we are in coordination with numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure a complete and thorough investigation to bring those who may have been part of this incident to justice,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a post to X.
“We recognize that there are tourists around us, and we urge all to avoid the French Quarter as this is an active investigation,” Landry added. “We understand the concerns of the community and want to reassure everyone that the safety of the French Quarter and the city of New Orleans remains our top priority.”
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police, officials said. Two officers sustained injuries but are in stable condition.
Police said they recovered an ISIS flag from the truck, and the FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Authorities are examining two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found at the scene of the incident, which has been confirmed to be “a viable bomb.”
Authorities said they do not believe Jabbar acted alone.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell condemned the attack, calling it a “terrorist act,” as did President Joe Biden. The White House said federal authorities are working closely with local law enforcement on the investigation.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” President-elect Donald Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before.
“Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” Trump added. “The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”
More than 300 officers were on duty in the area when the attack occurred. Victims were transported to five local hospitals for treatment.
Video footage from witnesses showed the chaos in the aftermath, with bodies lying in the street as bystanders attempted to help the injured.
According to reports, the Sugar Bowl has been postponed until Thursday following a terrorist attack that left 10 people dead and injured nearly three dozen more. The University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to face off in the Sugar Bowl.
New Orleans is also set to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
The FBI asks anyone with information to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing [email protected].
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