Tragic New Year’s Attack: 15 Killed, 35 Injured in ISIS-Flagged Truck Assault in New Orleans

On New Year’s Day, a tragic incident unfolded in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a vehicle plowed into a crowd, resulting in multiple casualties.

A pickup truck displaying the flag of the Islamic State drove into the bustling Bourbon Street in the French Quarter during New Year’s celebrations, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuries to 35 others, according to AP and CNN.

The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a retired U.S. Army veteran, engaged in a shootout with police before fleeing the scene, where he was ultimately killed. Over 300 law enforcement officers were deployed at the scene, and Louisiana police authorities reported that investigators discovered AR-style rifles, handguns, and multiple homemade explosives.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said, “It was very intentional.” clarifying that it was not a result of drunk driving. She emphasized that the perpetrator aimed to strike as many people as possible, adding that, according to their information, the situation is more complex and serious than initially thought.

Meanwhile, the FBI has classified the attack as terrorism, citing the presence of the Islamic State flag on Jabbar’s truck.

CNN, citing judicial authorities, reported that Jabbar had recorded several videos before the vehicle attack, in which he explained his reasons for joining IS. The New York Times revealed that Jabbar had been a U.S. citizen since birth and had served in the U.S. Army for approximately ten years before converting to Islam.