Authorities say a pickup truck driver plowed into a crowd of pedestrians gathered in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter early New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 30 others. The suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and said it does not believe the driver acted alone.
Wednesday’s attack occurred on Bourbon Street, known around the world as one of the biggest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. Large crowds also gathered in the city ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Sugar Bowl that was scheduled for later Wednesday in the nearby Superdome. The match was postponed until Thursday afternoon following the attack.
Here’s what we know about the attack:
What happened?
Police said the driver drove past a police blockade and drove through a crowd of people along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers gathered to celebrate the New Year. At least 15 people were killed and about 30 others were injured. Two police officers were injured in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect and are in stable condition.
Authorities also found possible explosive devices in the French Quarter, the FBI said. Surveillance camera footage showed three men and a woman placing one of several explosive devices, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
Who is the driver and what are his motives?
The FBI said the driver was 42-year-old Shamsuddin Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas.
The FBI said a flag representing the Islamic State group was found on the vehicle’s trailer hitch. The office is trying to determine whether Jabbar is linked to any terrorist organizations. President Joe Biden He said Wednesday evening The FBI found videos the driver posted on social media hours before the attack in which he said he was inspired by ISIS and expressed a desire to kill.
Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said during a news conference that the agency does not believe Jabbar acted alone.
Jabbar joined the Army in March 2007, where he worked in human resources and information technology. He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2015. Jabbar served until July 2020, leaving the Army with the rank of staff sergeant, the service said in a statement.
Court records show Jabbar faced a deteriorating financial situation in 2022 while separating from his then-wife. Jabbar said he was $27,000 late on his house payments, had accumulated $16,000 in credit card debt, and wanted to finalize the divorce quickly.
“I have exhausted all means of bringing the loan current other than modifying the loan, leaving us with no alternative but to sell the house or allow it to go into foreclosure,” he wrote in a January 2022 email to his ex-wife’s attorney. .
At the time, court documents show, he was earning about $10,000 a month through business development and other work for consulting firm Deloitte. Deloitte said in a statement that Jabbar “has served in a staff-level position” since his appointment in 2021, and that the company is doing everything it can to assist the authorities.
What did the authorities find in their investigations?
A state police bulletin stated that weapons and pipe bombs were found in the suspect’s car. The bulletin said the devices were hidden inside coolers and were wired for remote detonation with a remote control that was also found in the car.
Who was in the crowd?
Authorities said Bourbon Street was full of revelers at the beginning of 2025 when the attack occurred. Crowds in New Orleans also swelled in anticipation of the College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl between No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Notre Dame. That match was postponed until Thursday.
What protections are available for pedestrians on Bourbon Street?
New Orleans was in the midst of a major project to remove and replace pole-like barriers called barricades designed to prevent vehicular attacks along Bourbon Street, city documents show. This project began in November and involves replacing the old columns with new, removable columns made of stainless steel.
Have there been similar fatal attacks involving vehicles?
Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans is the latest example of a vehicle being used as a weapon to carry out mass violence. This trend has alarmed law enforcement officials because such attacks can be difficult to protect against. Last month, a Saudi doctor stormed a Christmas market crowded with shoppers in the German city of Magdeburg, killing four women and a 9-year-old boy.
[On Wednesday there was also a blast from an explosive-laden vehicle outside a Las Vegas hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump. Officials said the vehicle occupant died and some people nearby experienced minor injuries. President Biden said the FBI was looking into whether the Las Vegas explosion was connected to the New Orleans attack but had “nothing to report” as of Wednesday evening.]
This article was published by The Associated Press, as was the bracketed insert about the explosion in Las Vegas.