A tragic and devastating event occurred on New Year’s Day, 2025 when a truck collided with a crowd of people celebrating in New Orleans’ French Quarter. This horrifying attack led to 15 fatalities and left many others injured. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, died after a violent shootout with police. As of January 2, 2025, the FBI has begun treating the incident as a possible act of terrorism, and suspects Jabbar may not have acted alone.
The impact of the attack was felt deeply by the community, with 15 people tragically losing their lives. Some of the victims include Martin “Tiger” Bech, a football player from Princeton University, Reggie Hunter, a 37-year-old father of two, and Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old woman. Dozens of others were injured, including two police officers who were struck by gunfire during the confrontation with the suspect.
The FBI is currently investigating the tragic incident. Authorities have discovered weapons and a potentially explosive device inside Jabbar’s truck, further complicating the situation. As part of the investigation, the FBI has called on the public for assistance and is reviewing Jabbar’s social media activity, including videos he posted hours before the attack. These videos appear to show his admiration for ISIS and a desire to carry out the attack, fueling concerns over a possible terrorist connection.
The attack took place at approximately 3:15 a.m. near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a popular tourist area in the French Quarter. Police and emergency personnel were quick to respond, with streets in the vicinity being blocked off and a significant police and FBI presence established. In the aftermath, the city of New Orleans has committed to bringing any potential accomplices to justice and offering support to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
