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In a horrifying attack that marred New Year’s celebrations, a driver rammed a pickup truck into a packed crowd in New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter early Monday, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. The chaos, which unfolded around 3:15 a.m., prompted the postponement of the Sugar Bowl and left authorities scrambling to investigate potential links to terrorism.
(Editor’s note: Watch the full press briefing from this afternoon above and/or on TikTok.)
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a Beaumont, Texas native and U.S. citizen. I reported his identity hours ago on X before the FBI released it and over an hour before the Associated Press. According to state records, he has North Carolina ties from when he served in the U.S. Army and voted in Cumberland County, NC in 2012. He attended Campbell University before transferring to Georgia State. In 2020 he posted a real estate video, and I exclusively reported that he owned the real estate business Blue Meadow Properties. He has no known digital presence since then. It is unclear how he went from being a real estate agent to committing acts of terrorism. Law enforcement officials believe Jabbar may not have acted alone and are investigating possible connections to extremist organizations. The attack has been classified as an act of terrorism by the FBI.
Tragedy in the French Quarter
Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck into a dense crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, turning one of New Orleans’ most vibrant thoroughfares into a scene of devastation. After exiting the vehicle, Jabbar exchanged gunfire with police, shooting two officers before being killed by responding officers. Both injured officers remain in stable condition. On X I reported a photo of man lying on the ground after being shot and killed by responding police officers that is likely Jabbar. I am not posting it here due to its graphic content.
According to Texas criminal records, Jabbar had previously been charged in 2002 for misdemeanor theft and in 2005 for driving with an invalid license.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the attack as deliberate and premeditated. “This was a man hell-bent on causing mass casualties,” Kirkpatrick said during a press conference this morning. “His actions were calculated to create the maximum amount of chaos and destruction.”
In the immediate aftermath, Bourbon Street—usually bustling with tourists—was blocked off as a crime scene, with multiple dead bodies still there this afternoon. Police launched an extensive search for potential explosive devices.
Weapons and explosives found
Investigators recovered a rifle, a handgun, and several explosive devices from Jabbar’s truck. According to an intelligence bulletin from Louisiana state police, some devices were concealed in coolers and rigged for remote detonation, first reported by the Associated Press. A corresponding remote control was discovered inside the vehicle.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan confirmed the presence of an ISIS flag on the truck’s trailer hitch. I reported that fact hours ago on X, before mainstream media. No group has claimed responsibility, the FBI says they’re investigating. The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), is a transnational jihadist group and former unrecognized Quasi-state.
IS gained global prominence in 2014, when its militants conquered large territories in northwestern Iraq and eastern Syria, taking advantage of the ongoing civil war in Syria and the disintegrating local military forces of Iraq. By the end of 2015, its self-declared caliphate ruled an area with a population of about 12 million, where they enforced their extremist interpretation of Islamic law, managed an annual budget exceeding US$1 billion, and commanded more than 30,000 fighters. I was in college in NYC on 9/11/2001, the day of the worst terrorist attack in United States history, and I have been reporting on terrorism since then.
Community in mourning
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell condemned the attack as a terrorist act, expressing her sorrow for the victims and their families. “This attack was not just on individuals but on our entire community,” Cantrell said at a press conference.
Helena Moreno, a New Orleans City Council member, emphasized the possibility of accomplices. “This is an all-hands-on-deck investigation,” Moreno told the AP. “We are determined to identify anyone who may have been involved.”
The festive atmosphere of the French Quarter was shattered as emergency personnel worked to clear the area. Coroner’s vans were stationed at the scene, and dazed tourists navigated through police barricades.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described a scene of terror and confusion. Zion Parsons, 18, recounted to the AP narrowly avoiding Jabbar’s truck as it barreled toward him and his friends. “I turned my head and saw bodies, just bodies of people, bleeding, broken bones,” Parsons said. “I ran until I couldn’t hear anything anymore.”
Derick Fleming, a hotel bellhop, described the aftermath as “pandemonium.” “When I got to work this morning, there were bodies on the ground covered up. Police were looking for bombs in garbage cans,” Fleming told the AP.
A City Left Vulnerable
Bourbon Street has had barriers to prevent vehicle attacks since 2017, but the area was temporarily vulnerable due to an ongoing project to replace the devices. The project began in November and was scheduled for completion before the Super Bowl in February.
“This tragic event underscores the importance of robust security measures in public spaces,” Kirkpatrick said.
National and Global Response
President Joe Biden addressed the nation, expressing his “anger and frustration” over the attack. “There is no justification for violence of any kind,” Biden said. “My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday.”
“If this doesn’t trigger the gag reflex of every fair-minded American, I’d be very surprised.” Senator John Kennedy said at the press conference this afternoon. “The federal government is now in charge of this investigation. I have not talked to the FBI, maybe they’ve talked to my staff, I don’t know.”
The incident is the latest in a string of vehicle-ramming attacks worldwide, a trend that has challenged law enforcement and heightened public safety concerns.
Sugar Bowl Postponed
The Sugar Bowl, a marquee college football playoff game, was postponed until Thursday as officials assessed the safety of the Superdome and surrounding areas. Thousands of fans from Georgia and Notre Dame had traveled to New Orleans for the event, which now serves as a somber reminder of the attack’s far-reaching impact.
University of Georgia President Jere Morehead confirmed that one student was critically injured. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this senseless act,” Morehead said.
“The crime rate in our country is at a level we’ve never seen before,” President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement, I reported on X.
Moving Forward
As New Orleans grapples with the tragedy, officials are urging vigilance and cooperation. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry reassured residents and tourists that the safety of the French Quarter remains a top priority.
“While we mourn the loss of life, we must also ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Landry said.
The FBI has set up a digital tip line, and ask anyone with information or video of the incident to submit them to fbi.gov/bourbonstreetattack or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The investigation remains active, with authorities focusing on Jabbar’s background and potential accomplices. Meanwhile, the resilient spirit of New Orleans endures, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Politicians and Police Owe the Public Answers—No Exceptions
In the aftermath of the devastating New Year’s attack in New Orleans, one thing is clear: the public is being left in the dark with some of the issues surrounding this deadly attack. At a press briefing meant to address the unfolding tragedy, elected officials and law enforcement leaders stood together at the podium—only to evade journalists' questions. Key details about the investigation remain unanswered, and the lack of transparency raises serious concerns about accountability and trust.
The Role of Transparency in Public Safety
When lives are lost, and communities are shaken, clear and timely communication from leaders is essential. This attack left 10 people dead, dozens injured, and an entire city reeling. Yet instead of offering concrete updates or addressing critical questions, politicians pivoted to canned statements and abruptly ended the press briefing.
What’s worse, the full video of the event reveals a troubling dynamic: journalists asking pointed, necessary questions about gaps in security, the investigation’s progress, and what’s being done to prevent future attacks—only to be ignored.
This is unacceptable. Public safety depends not only on the actions of law enforcement but also on the trust and cooperation of the community. Withholding information erodes that trust.
A Pattern of Dodging Accountability
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Politicians often treat press briefings as opportunities for posturing rather than platforms for transparency. They issue carefully curated statements designed to control the narrative while refusing to engage with tough questions.
Consider this: Why weren’t the bollard barricades in place on Bourbon Street? Was this a failure of planning or execution? If there are suspected accomplices, what steps are being taken to ensure public safety while they remain at large? These are not trivial inquiries; they are fundamental to understanding what went wrong and how it will be fixed.
And yet, the public—through the press—received no meaningful answers.
Elected Officials Must Be Held Accountable
The role of an elected official is not just to cut ribbons and deliver speeches. It is to answer to the people they serve, especially in times of crisis. That means facing journalists’ questions head-on, even when they’re uncomfortable.
Refusing to answer questions not only undermines the public’s right to know but also signals a lack of accountability. If politicians and police won’t explain what they know, how can citizens have confidence in the decisions being made behind closed doors?
The Danger of Silence
In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, silence from leaders creates a vacuum. Without credible updates from officials, speculation fills the void. Conspiracy theories thrive, public fear deepens, and trust in institutions crumbles.
Leaders need to recognize that dodging questions doesn’t make the problem go away—it exacerbates it.
What Needs to Change
Commit to Full Transparency: Politicians and law enforcement must provide regular, detailed updates on the investigation. If certain details cannot be disclosed for operational reasons, that should be clearly explained.
Engage With Journalists: Press briefings should allow for robust question-and-answer sessions. This is not just a courtesy; it is a responsibility.
Explain Security Gaps: The absence of barricades on Bourbon Street is a glaring oversight. Officials need to explain why they weren’t in place and what steps are being taken to ensure such vulnerabilities are addressed. To her credit, Kirkpatrick did say they’ve known about issues with them for a long time but it isn’t clear why they haven’t been fixed (watch the video).
Provide Public Reassurance: Beyond addressing the media, officials should directly communicate with the public, outlining what they’re doing to keep everyone safe in the wake of the attack.
No Room for Excuses
At the core of our democracy is the principle that public officials work for the people—not the other way around. When tragedy strikes, we expect answers, not evasion.
The events in New Orleans demand accountability. The public deserves to know why this attack happened, what is being done to ensure it doesn’t happen again, and who, if anyone, is still at large. Politicians and police owe us these answers. No exceptions.
As always, Cops & Congress will continue asking the questions that matter—and I won’t stop until I get the truth.
This story has been updated.
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