Breaking: What Happened in the French Quarter?
A horrific New Year’s celebration turned deadly when a pickup truck plowed through crowds in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter. The driver, who later opened fire on the crowd, killed 15 people and left more than 35 injured in what the FBI is calling a potential terrorist attack.
Who Was the Attacker?
Police identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas. Witnesses say he was dressed in “full military gear” when he carried out the attack. Jabbar died in a shootout with police after causing what one city official called “unthinkable carnage.”
The Attack: Moment by Moment
- Time: Around 3:15 AM
- Location: Canal and Bourbon Streets
- The driver swerved around barricades
- Shot at police officers, injuring two
- Chaos erupted as people tried to escape
Shocking ISIS Connection Revealed
Police made disturbing discoveries in the attacker’s truck:
- An ISIS flag
- Multiple suspected explosive devices
- The truck was rented through Turo, a car-sharing app
Chilling Video Recordings Surface
Before the attack, Jabbar recorded several videos while driving from Texas to Louisiana. In these recordings, he:
- Talked about his divorce
- Mentioned plans to kill his family
- Claimed he had joined ISIS
- Described dreams about joining the terrorist group
Eyewitness Accounts: “It Was Like a Nightmare”
“There were just bodies and the screams. You can’t unhear that,” says tourist Kimberly Stricklin, who witnessed the horror firsthand. Many visitors, including April McGee, cut their New Year’s trips short after the traumatic experience.
What’s Happening Now?
The FBI is leading the investigation, treating this as an act of terrorism. They’re currently:
- Looking into possible associates
- Investigating the suspect’s background
- Checking for links to terrorist organizations
This devastating attack has left New Orleans shaken as investigators work to understand what triggered this horrific act of violence.