2025 New Orleans truck attack: Difference between revisions

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	\| caption = ] at the intersection with ], where the ramming began, pictured in 2022
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Revision as of 06:04, 2 January 2025

Islamic terrorist attack in New Orleans

This article documents a recent vehicle-ramming terrorist attack. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

2025 New Orleans truck attack
Attack endpoint
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Date	January 1, 2025 3:15 a.m. CST (UTC-6)
Target	Pedestrians
Attack type	Vehicle-ramming attack, shootout, mass murder
Weapons	Ford F-150 Lightning .308 caliber rifle Handgun
Deaths	16 (including the suspect)
Injured	35+
Perpetrator	Shamsud-Din Jabbar
Motive	Under investigation

On January 1, 2025, at around 3:15 a.m. CST (UTC–6), a man, identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an American-born resident of Houston, Texas, and a convert to Islam, drove a rented Ford pickup truck into a large crowd on Bourbon Street and Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. After crashing into an aerial work platform, the driver exited the truck armed with two firearms and began to shoot at police. Police officers fatally shot him. Sixteen people were killed, including the suspect, and at least thirty-five others were injured, including two police officers, who were shot. The attack occurred during New Year celebrations in the city, which was scheduled to host the college football Sugar Bowl game later that day. The flag of the Islamic State (IS) was found on the truck. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.

Background

Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies had warned local police agencies about potential vehicle-ramming attacks before the holidays, and in the years before, such attacks were used more frequently due to the Islamic State (IS) promoting the tactic. In a 2017 memo, the city government also noted the risk of a mass casualty incident, including from a vehicle attack, in the French Quarter, the neighborhood where the attack took place, and it had plans to establish further security programs in the area.

US officials were concerned about the potential for lone wolf terror attacks and efforts by the Islamic State's Khorasan branch to recruit new members by spreading propaganda online and radicalizing vulnerable populations.

The New Year celebrations in the city included LGBTQ parties on Bourbon Street and a parade for the 2025 Sugar Bowl—one of New Orleans's major sporting events—which was scheduled to take place on the night of January 1 at the Caesars Superdome between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Law enforcement had increased security in preparation for these events, including using drones in the French Quarter.

Events

Jabbar, the suspected driver, drove the truck around a police SUV and barricades that were placed to protect Bourbon Street, driving into people along a three-block stretch between Canal and Conti streets. Originally, special barricades that stopped cars were put on streets, but were taken for repairs in preparation for the upcoming Sugar Bowl. Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated the suspect was "trying to run over as many people as he possibly could". After he crashed into an aerial work platform, he exited the truck and began firing a weapon. New Orleans Police Department officers returned fire with two officers being wounded in the gun fight. Witnesses and law enforcement officials said the driver was shooting with an assault rifle; he also had a handgun. Witnesses also said he was wearing full military gear. Officers killed the suspect in the shootout.

The white Ford F-150 Lightning light-duty truck used in the attack had been rented through the Turo car-sharing app, and had been observed in Humble, Texas, on the morning before the attack. Later that day, the truck was observed in Baytown, Texas, heading east on Interstate 10 toward New Orleans. The truck was owned by a Houston man. There was an Islamic State (IS) flag on the trailer hitch.

At least 16 people, including the suspect, were killed according to New Orleans coroner Dwight McKenna. At least 35 others were injured, some critically. Immediately after the attack, emergency personnel took 30 of the wounded to five area hospitals, while other injured sought hospital care on their own. Superintendent Kirkpatrick said most of the victims were local residents.

Suspects

The FBI identified the suspected truck driver as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar (October 26, 1982 – January 1, 2025), a 42-year-old American citizen born and raised in Texas who lived in a Houston neighborhood in northern Harris County at the time of the attack, and was a former resident of Beaumont. He served in the U.S. Army for ten years as a human-resources specialist and an information technology specialist and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. He was honorably discharged. His past criminal history included a 2002 arrest for misdemeanor theft and a 2005 arrest for driving with an invalid license. Jabbar was twice divorced, resulting in financial problems. He had two daughters, aged 20 and 15 at the time of the attack. A brother of Jabbar's said that he converted to Islam at a young age. A friend of his said he noticed that he had "gotten really passionate" about his faith when they reconnected on Facebook around 2017. The husband of one of his ex-wives said that Jabbar had been acting erratically in the months before the attack.

Althea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans field office, said investigators do not believe Jabbar acted alone. New Orleans police have reviewed surveillance video that appears to show several people planting potential explosive devices in advance of the vehicle attack, which led them to believe that he was not solely responsible, sources told ABC News.

Aftermath

A reunification center was established at University Medical Center New Orleans, where police reported 26 wounded were located.

The attack impacted the city's tourism industry, which had not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hotels in the area were evacuated, and hospitality and service workers reporting for work later that morning were turned away from the area. It also had an impact on high-profile sporting events: the 2025 Sugar Bowl, which is part of the College Football Playoff, was to be played at Caesars Superdome between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs at 7:45 p.m. CST on January 1 but was postponed to 3 p.m. CST the following day due to ongoing security sweeps. Meanwhile, local organizers said they would review security procedures for Super Bowl LIX to be held in New Orleans the following month, but the priority would be on the immediate response to the attack.

The New Orleans City Hall building will be closed to the public on January 2 to reduce traffic.

Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is leading the investigation of the attack and has opened a tip line. Investigators found two pipe bombs inside coolers on Bourbon Street a few blocks from the attack. The devices were rigged for detonation, and connected to a wireless remote found in the truck. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security, and prosecutors for the National Security Division and the local federal prosecutor's office are assisting in the investigation. The FBI has inquired as to whether the suspect was connected to or inspired by a foreign terrorist organization; the suspect discusses the Islamic State (IS) and a desire to kill in videos made while driving to New Orleans. The FBI said that apparent explosive devices were found elsewhere in the French Quarter; authorities believe these may have been placed by someone other than the driver.

A fire broke out the same day of the attack at an Airbnb in the St. Roch neighborhood, which investigators believe the suspect rented.

A man from Jabbar's house in North Houston surrendered after law enforcement entered it.

Reactions

Domestic

Federal

U.S. President Joe Biden contacted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer support and released a statement saying that his "heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday".

Troy Carter, who represents almost all of New Orleans in the U.S. House, said the attack was an "unspeakable act of violence" and commended the New Orleans Police Department for their work.

Bill Cassidy, Louisiana's senior U.S. Senator, called the attack "so tragic".

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, president-elect Donald Trump, and U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also condemned the attack. The FBI later stated it was investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.

State

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed condolences to the victims of the attack and urged people to avoid the area.

Local

New Orleans PD, along with Mayor Cantrell, described the incident as a terrorist attack. At the time of the attack, a system of bollards protecting Bourbon Street from drivers was undergoing an upgrade, and it is unclear whether bollards were in place. Eyewitnesses blamed the city and reported that steel barricades installed to prevent vehicular access were not raised before the attack, though New Orleans Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said that police were aware they malfunctioned sometimes and instead used other barricades.

Jason Williams, the district attorney for Orleans Parish, said that "driving a vehicle into a crowd is not particularly a thing that any law enforcement agency can be prepared for".

Jeff Hundley, the director of the committee that organizes the Sugar Bowl, said the committee was devastated by the terror attack. The University of Georgia (UGA) Athletic Association said they were "deeply saddened by the senseless violence that occurred in New Orleans", and University of Notre Dame president Robert A. Dowd said that "ur prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning". UGA President Jere Morehead confirmed that one UGA student was injured in the attacks, and said he was deeply saddened and expressed gratitude for the first responders. The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans released a joint statement paying tribute to the victims and the city's resilience. In Pasadena, California, a moment of silence for the victims was held during the Rose Parade. The National Football League expressed confidence that spectators and participants alike would have a safe and enjoyable experience at the Super Bowl.

The truck's owner said that the FBI had instructed him not to publicly talk about the matter. His wife said she and her husband were devastated and offered condolences.

The husband of Jabbar's ex-wife said Jabbar's daughters were distraught.

International

Israel's foreign ministry said two Israeli citizens were wounded in the attack.

Mexico's foreign ministry reported that two Mexican nationals were injured in the attack.

References

^ "At Least 10 Killed After Vehicle Drives into Crowd in New Orleans". The New York Times. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "At least 10 killed after vehicle drives into crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans". CNN. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Reals, Tucker (January 1, 2025). "At least 15 killed on Bourbon Street in New Orleans after driver intentionally slams truck into crowd; dozens injured". CBS News. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Tucker, Eric; Mustian, Jim; McGill, Kevin; Brook, Jack (January 1, 2025). "Driver rams New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 10. FBI investigating as 'act of terrorism'". AP News. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"New Orleans: Several dead after vehicle plows into crowd". DW News. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "FBI Statement on the Attack in New Orleans". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "New Orleans attack updates: Suspect 'inspired by ISIS,' was military veteran". ABC News. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Smith, Stephen (January 1, 2025). "Witnesses describe horrifying scene after deadly car attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans: "Nothing we could do"". CBS News. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"New Year's Eve Festivities - New Orleans - New Orleans & Company". www.neworleans.com. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Killett, Gabriella (January 1, 2025). "New Orleans attack suspect named, accused of killing at least 10, injuring dozens". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "Here's where Bourbon Street attack occurred that killed at least 10, what streets are blocked". nola.com. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ LaRose, Greg (January 1, 2025). "At least 10 dead, 35 injured in New Orleans after truck plows into Bourbon Street crowd • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Tetzlaff-Deas, Benedict (January 1, 2025). "New Orleans Bourbon Street attack: Everything we know so far as armed driver ploughs into crowd leaving 10 dead". The Mirror. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"10 dead, dozens hurt after driver intentionally plows into Bourbon Street crowd". WDSU. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Brooks, Jesse (January 1, 2025). "At least 10 dead, 35 injured on Bourbon Street after vehicle slams into crowd hours after ringing in New Year". WAFB. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Truck driven in deadly Bourbon Street attack was rented from Houston, sources confirm". KTRK-TV. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ "New Orleans terror attack: 10 dead, dozens injured after truck plows into crowd". KABC-TV. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Reals, Tucker; Breen, Kerry (January 1, 2025). "At least 15 killed on Bourbon Street in New Orleans after driver intentionally slams truck into crowd; dozens injured". CBS News. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Copp, Tara (January 1, 2025). "What we know about a vehicle attack on pedestrians in New Orleans that killed at least 15". The Associated Press. Retrieved January 1, 2025. The FBI said the driver was 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas. A flag representing the Islamic State group was found on the vehicle's trailer hitch, the FBI said. The bureau is trying to determine if Jabbar was associated with any terrorist organizations. Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said during a news conference that the agency does not believe Jabbar acted alone.
Lowrey, Erin (January 1, 2025). "New Orleans New Year's terror attack suspect identified". WDSU-TV. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Driver identified as Houston resident in New Orleans' New Year's attack that killed 10". KPRC-TV. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Pasadena Police are reportedly aiding federal authorities in their investigation into Wednesday morning's mass casualty event in New Orleans, Louisiana". CHRON. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Terry, Christian (January 1, 2025). "Man seen surrendering to SWAT outside of Shamsud Din Jabbar's home". KPRC. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"New Orleans truck attack prompts FBI investigation in Houston". FOX 26 Houston. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"New Orleans Attack Suspect Served in U.S. Army". WSJ. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"New Orleans latest updates: Suspect in New Orleans attack that killed 10 is dead and FBI investigating as 'act of terrorism'". BBC News. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Sugar Bowl postponed after New Orleans attack, per reports". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Superdome in New Orleans on lockdown for security sweeps after deadly truck attack". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
McAuley, Anthony; Riegel, Stephanie (January 1, 2025). "As Super Bowl looms, New Orleans officials to review security in wake of deadly attack". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Killett, Gabriella (January 1, 2025). "Fire at St. Roch rental may be connected to mass casualty Bourbon Street attack, sources say". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Tweet". X.com.
@SteveScalise (January 1, 2025). "Please join me in praying for the victims and their families, as well as our first responders, in the wake of this horrific act of violence on Bourbon Street" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
"New Orleans Bourbon Street attack: Horror as SUV ploughs into New Year revellers leaving 10 dead and scores injured". The Mirror. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
^ Selig, Kate (January 1, 2025). "A Street Security System in New Orleans Was Under Construction". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"UGA student critically injured in New Orleans terror attack". Fox 8 Live News. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Reardon, Logan (January 1, 2025). "Saints and Pelicans release joint statement after deadly attack in New Orleans". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"Rose Parade officials hold moment of silence to honor victims of New Orleans attack". wwltv.com. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
DeArdo, Bryan (January 1, 2025). "NFL ensures Super Bowl safety after New Orleans tragedy, 'confident' it will be safe and enjoyable experience". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
"שני ישראלים נפצעו באירוע הדריסה בניו אורלינס" [Two Israelis injured in New Orleans stampede]. Walla (in Hebrew). January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
Tinoco Morales, Omar (January 1, 2025). "Atentado en Nueva Orleans: SRE confirma que dos mexicanos resultaron heridos" [Attack in New Orleans: Ministry confirms that two Mexicans were injured] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved January 2, 2025.

v t e Vehicle-ramming attacks
1970s	Prague (July 1973) Ciurea (July 1974)
1980s	Reno (November 1980) Uluru (August 1983)
1990s	Costa Mesa (May 1999)
2000s	Azor (February 2001) Isla Vista (February 2001) Lyon (March 2002) UNC (March 2006) Glasgow (June 2007) Akihabara (June 2008) Jerusalem bulldozer (July 2008) Kashgar (August 2008) Jerusalem BMW (September 2008) Apeldoorn (April 2009)
2010s	Hebei (August 2010) Tel Aviv truck (May 2011) Kashgar (July 2011) Tel Aviv nightclub (August 2011) Woolwich (May 2013) Beijing (October 2013) Taipei (January 2014) Urumqi (May 2014) Isla Vista (May 2014) Jerusalem tractor (August 2014) Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (October 2014) Jerusalem (October 2014) Jerusalem (November 2014) Dijon (December 2014) Nantes (December 2014) Graz (June 2015) Oklahoma (October 2015) Nice (July 2016) Ohio (November 2016) Berlin (December 2016) Jerusalem (January 2017) Melbourne (January 2017) Westminster (March 2017) Stockholm (April 2017) Times Square (May 2017) London Bridge (June 2017) Finsbury Park (June 2017) Paris (June 2017) Levallois-Perret (August 2017) Charlottesville (August 2017) Sept-Sorts (August 2017) Barcelona (August 2017) Edmonton (September 2017) NYC (October 2017) Melbourne (December 2017) Munster (April 2018) Toronto (April 2018) Westminster (August 2018) Tajikistan (July 2018) Mishui (September 2018) Tokyo (January 2019) Zaoyang (March 2019) Gush Etzion (August 2019)
2020s	Volkmarsen (February 2020) George Floyd protests (2020) Trier (December 2020) Washington, D.C. (April 2021) London, Ontario (June 2021) Minneapolis (June 2021) Novara (June 2021) Waukesha (November 2021) Beersheba (March 2022) Ariel (November 2022) Guangzhou (January 2023) Laval (February 2023) Ramot (February 2023) Amqui (March 2023) Brownsville (May 2023) Washington D.C. (May 2023) Nottingham (June 2023) Tel Aviv (July 2023) Rochester (January 2024) Ra'anana (January 2024) Tel Aviv (October 2024) Zhuhai (November 2024) Changde (November 2024) Magdeburg (December 2024) New Orleans (January 2025)

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