Suspected Terrorist Attack on Bourbon Street Leaves 15 Dead, Dozens Injured
A tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday morning in New Orleans' French Quarter when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring approximately 35 others. The driver, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police following the attack.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. CST, during the height of New Year's celebrations. Witnesses reported a white pickup truck accelerating into the densely packed crowd, causing chaos and devastation. After crashing the vehicle, Jabbar exited and opened fire on responding officers before being fatally shot.
Authorities discovered an ISIS flag in the truck, and the FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Two improvised explosive devices were also found inside coolers on Bourbon Street, a few blocks from the attack site; they were rigged for detonation and connected to a wireless remote found in the truck.
Among the victims were:
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, an aspiring nursing student from Mississippi.
Tiger Bech, a former Princeton University football star.
Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two.
Nicole Perez, 27, a mother of a 4-year-old child.
The University of Georgia confirmed that one of its students was among those injured. The Sugar Bowl, scheduled for later that day between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame, has been postponed to Thursday as a result of the attack.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation, expressing condolences to the victims' families and condemning the attack. He also revealed that authorities are probing a possible link between this incident and an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas, suggesting a coordinated effort.
The New Orleans Police Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the attack. They are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to determine whether Jabbar acted alone or had accomplices.
This tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the city, known for its vibrant celebrations and rich cultural heritage. Mayor LaToya Cantrell has declared a state of emergency and emphasized the city's resilience in the face of such adversity.
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