In a chilling scene early New Year’s morning, Bourbon Street revelers narrowly avoided a speeding electric truck driven by terror suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
The attack, occurring around 3:15 a.m., left 14 dead before authorities fatally shot Jabbar after he opened fire on police, as reported by Fox News.
Surveillance footage shows Jabbar driving a rented Ford F-150 Lightning into the crowd, using the vehicle as a weapon in what officials confirm was a terrorist attack. Former NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor Paul Mauro described the incident as part of a troubling global trend.
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“A 5,000-pound vehicle going at a high rate of speed in an urban area is utterly devastating. This is becoming the tactic of choice among terrorists globally,” Mauro stated.
Mauro noted that the vehicle’s electric design may have been an intentional choice to increase casualties. “Electric vehicles in general are so quiet,” he explained, suggesting Jabbar sought to maximize the element of surprise.
Temporary barriers installed at certain French Quarter entrances ahead of the holiday season proved insufficient, as the barrier at Canal and Bourbon Streets was left flat on New Year’s Eve. Video evidence shows Jabbar bypassing a police blockade and entering the street, where crowds were gathered in celebration.
Footage shows the moment the alleged suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, navigated around a police car acting as a barricade to plow into a crowd of people in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
— Art Candee (@ArtCandee) January 1, 2025
Reflecting on the incident, Mauro pointed out failures in planning and execution. “The lesson is, even if you take prophylactic steps, you can’t secure a very large event 100%, and we just have to accept that. Now, that said … we do have to accept the fact that they made mistakes. Who made the decision to decide to remove the barriers that they had for upgrading?”
Kevin Scott, a chef at a Bourbon Street restaurant, described the chaos. “Bodies were everywhere,” he recounted. “People were screaming and hollering, just running for their lives. It’s a tragedy in New Orleans.”
Scott expressed shock at how quickly Bourbon Street reopened, noting the eerie atmosphere post-attack. “It feels different now.” He stated that his heart goes out to the families of the victims.
The FBI revealed that Jabbar was motivated by ISIS and acted alone. Agents discovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) hidden in coolers in the French Quarter following the attack.
A video has emerged showing the attack involving a Ford Lightning truck equipped with IEDs. The incident is being labeled as a #Terroristattack. The perpetrator is Shamsud-Din Jabbar served in the US Army Reserve from 2015 to 2020
— DigiGal (@DigitalGal_) January 1, 2025
Before his rampage, Jabbar posted videos on Facebook pledging allegiance to ISIS, stating he initially intended to harm only his family and friends but later chose a broader target to amplify his message.
As New Orleans grapples with the aftermath, questions remain about the adequacy of safety measures during high-profile events. The city’s bustling celebrations, from New Year’s Eve to Mardi Gras, underscore the importance of vigilance in an era where such attacks are becoming disturbingly common.
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