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New Orleans Terror Attack Kills 14, Linked to Islamic State, Ahead of Super Bowl Preparations

Jan 5, 2025, 11:33 AM

A tragic terrorist attack occurred on New Year's Day in New Orleans' French Quarter when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street. The attack killed 14 people, aged 18 to 63, and injured over 30 others, with 13 people remaining hospitalized, including 8 in intensive care. Jabbar, who proclaimed support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos before the attack, was fatally shot by police after exiting the truck and engaging in a firefight, wounding at least two officers. Authorities also discovered crude bombs and bomb-making materials at Jabbar's residence and in the vicinity, though the devices were rendered safe. The victims included a former Princeton football star, an aspiring nurse, a single mother, and a British citizen. The coroner listed the cause of death for all victims as blunt force injuries. A vigil was held on January 4 to honor the victims, where mourners gathered with candles, flowers, and a brass band to celebrate the lives lost. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to visit New Orleans to meet with the victims' families. Enhanced security measures, including barricades, are being implemented in the French Quarter. The city is preparing for upcoming events, including the Super Bowl on February 9, as investigations continue.