Terror on Bourbon Street: New Orleans’ New Year’s Celebration Shattered by ISIS-Inspired Rampage
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The vibrant New Year’s Eve revelry on Bourbon Street descended into unspeakable horror when a U.S. Army veteran, driving a pickup truck adorned with the Islamic State group’s flag, unleashed a calculated and devastating terrorist attack. The carnage left 15 dead and dozens injured, turning the heart of New Orleans’ famed French Quarter into a blood-soaked scene of chaos and despair.
The driver, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, of Texas, steered his vehicle around a police blockade before plowing into crowds of unsuspecting revelers celebrating the start of 2025. He was fatally shot by police after exiting the vehicle and opening fire on responding officers. Authorities discovered firearms, improvised explosives, and other lethal devices in the truck and at separate locations throughout the city, prompting the FBI to classify the incident as a coordinated terrorist attack.
“This is Evil”
“This is not just an act of terrorism. This is pure evil,” declared New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick in a somber news conference. Despite barricades and enhanced security measures, Jabbar circumvented protections, determined to wreak havoc on one of the nation’s most iconic streets.
The devastation extended beyond New Orleans. Explosions rocked Honolulu and a hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump in Las Vegas shortly after the attack. Federal authorities are investigating potential connections between the incidents.
“A Scene of Horror”
Witnesses described an apocalyptic scene of blood and panic. Zion Parsons, an 18-year-old from Mississippi, recounted seeing bodies “thrown into the air” like rag dolls as the truck tore through the crowd. Among the victims was his friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, one of the 15 killed in the massacre.
For hours, Bourbon Street was transformed into a crime scene as police, medics, and coroner vans navigated the grisly aftermath. Tourists, many in shock, huddled in corners or fled into nearby bars and restaurants seeking safety.
A Military Background Turned Deadly
Jabbar, a former U.S. Army staff sergeant, served in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 and left the Army Reserve in 2020. Authorities believe his military training may have aided his ability to execute the attack and construct the sophisticated explosive devices found.
Links to Terrorism
Hours before the rampage, Jabbar posted chilling videos on social media professing allegiance to the Islamic State group and a desire to kill. FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan confirmed investigators are working to identify potential accomplices after surveillance footage captured three men and a woman placing explosive devices nearby.
“Objective Evil”
Prominent officials condemned the attack. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana described the incident as a stark manifestation of “objective evil,” while President Joe Biden vowed that “this act of terror will not shake the resolve of our nation.” Biden also emphasized the heightened threat of international terrorism following global unrest.
A Somber Start to 2025
The attack marks one of the deadliest Islamic State-inspired assaults on U.S. soil in recent years. New Orleans, a city synonymous with celebration, now grapples with a profound loss of life and a chilling reminder of vulnerability.
“This New Year’s tragedy reminds us that no community is immune to the horrors of terrorism,” said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, urging unity and vigilance.
As federal agents comb through evidence and pursue leads, Bourbon Street remains sealed off—its festive lights dimmed, its soul momentarily silenced by the weight of a nation’s grief.
