NEW ORLEANS (trfnews.i234.me) — On January 1, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., a pickup truck driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas and former Army Staff Sergeant, entered a pedestrian area near Canal and Bourbon Streets in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The vehicle struck numerous individuals, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuries to 30 others.
Law enforcement officers engaged Jabbar in a shootout following the incident, during which he was fatally shot. An ISIS flag was found in the truck, prompting an FBI investigation into possible connections to terrorist organizations.
In response to the attack, officials postponed the Sugar Bowl, a college football game traditionally held on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, delaying it by 24 hours to allow for security sweeps and investigations.
The FBI initially considered the possibility of additional suspects but later concluded that Jabbar acted alone. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of his connections to ISIS and any potential support networks.
Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from March 2007 to January 2015, including a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. After his military service, he worked in real estate in Houston.
President Joe Biden contacted New Orleans’ mayor to offer federal support, while President-elect Donald Trump condemned the attack and pledged assistance for the city’s recovery efforts.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me