A deadly attack on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans left 14 dead and dozens injured, and new details have emerged about the horrifying plot orchestrated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man who rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers. Federal authorities have revealed that Jabbar had bomb-making materials at his home, and had reserved the truck used in the attack more than six weeks before the incident, suggesting he had been planning the assault for an extended period.
Jabbar, a 42-year-old former Army soldier, reportedly had materials in his Houston home that could have been used to make explosive devices. A search of his property revealed a workbench in his garage along with hazardous materials. Additionally, the FBI discovered that Jabbar had purchased a cooler in Vidor, Texas, and gun oil in Sulphur, Louisiana, hours before the attack. Authorities also found that he had reserved the pickup truck for the attack on November 14, 2022.
The attack occurred early Wednesday on Bourbon Street, a popular area in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Jabbar’s truck crashed into a crowd of New Year’s revelers, killing 14 people and injuring around 30 others. The victims’ cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries. Among the injured, 13 people remain hospitalized, with eight in intensive care.
In addition to the deadly truck attack, Jabbar had planted two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers several blocks apart. Authorities were able to safely render the devices inactive. Investigators also found a transmitter in the rental truck, which was intended to trigger the bombs. At Jabbar’s rented home in New Orleans, authorities discovered further bomb-making materials, as well as evidence that he attempted to set the house on fire using accelerants. The fire was extinguished before it could spread.
The attack has sent shockwaves through New Orleans, and a memorial has been growing in the area as locals and tourists stop to pay their respects. Many have left flowers, candles, and prayers for the victims, who included a young aspiring nurse, a single mother, a father of two, and a former Princeton University football star. One of the victims was also a British citizen, Edward Pettifer, aged 31, from West London.
Jabbar, who posted videos on his Facebook account hours before the attack expressing his support for the Islamic State militant group, was fatally shot by police in a firefight after he exited the crashed vehicle wearing a ballistic vest and helmet, firing at officers. At least two officers were wounded before Jabbar was killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The FBI investigation continues as authorities try to understand Jabbar’s motives and the full extent of his attack. Meanwhile, New Orleans’ Mayor and City Council have vowed to enhance security measures and review policies to prevent such incidents in the future. Council President Helena Moreno has initiated an investigation to assess current security protocols and make necessary improvements.
The White House announced that President Joe Biden will visit New Orleans next week to grieve with the families and the community affected by this tragic attack. Security measures in the city are being heightened in the lead-up to the Carnival season and the Super Bowl, which will both take place in New Orleans in February.
Sources By Agencies
