A deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans has left 15 dead and over 30 injured, marking one of the most lethal attacks on US soil since 9/11.
At a Glance
- Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, drove a truck through crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring over 30
- An ISIS flag was found in the vehicle, and pipe bombs were discovered along the attack route
- FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act, suggesting Jabbar may not have acted alone
- The attack is part of a series of “vehicle as a weapon” incidents seen globally in recent years
- University of Georgia student Elle Eisele and her friend were among those injured in the attack
Deadly Rampage on Bourbon Street
In a horrific act of terrorism, Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old man from Texas, drove a rented F150 truck through crowds on New Orleans’ iconic Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day. The attack, which initially claimed 10 lives, has seen its death toll rise to 15, with over 30 others injured. Jabbar, who was killed in a subsequent police shootout, had adorned his vehicle with an ISIS flag, immediately raising concerns about the involvement of radical extremism.
The FBI has taken charge of the investigation, treating the incident as an act of terrorism. The discovery of pipe bombs disguised as coolers along Bourbon Street, connected to a remote detonator in Jabbar’s truck, has led investigators to suspect that Jabbar may not have acted alone. FBI investigators suggest Jabbar was ‘not solely responsible’, for the attack, indicating a potentially broader network of extremist activity.
A Pattern of Vehicle-Based Attacks
The New Orleans attack is part of a disturbing trend of using vehicles as weapons in terrorist acts. This method has been employed in various incidents globally over the past two decades, including attacks in Nice, France, and Berlin, Germany. The use of everyday objects like vehicles in such attacks presents a significant challenge for law enforcement and security agencies in prevention and response.
Among the injured were University of Georgia student Elle Eisele and her friend Steele Idelson, who attends San Diego State University. This personal dimension of the tragedy has brought the impact of terrorism closer to home for many Americans, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of such attacks.
Comparisons to Past Attacks
The New Orleans attack now ranks among the deadliest terrorist incidents on US soil since 9/11. It draws comparisons to other coordinated attacks like the Boston Marathon bombing and the San Bernardino massacre. However, lone wolf attacks, such as the Orlando nightclub shooting, have been more common in recent years, often involving self-radicalized individuals inspired by extremist ideologies.
The historical context of terrorism in the US includes the devastating 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda and other significant incidents like the Fort Hood shooting by Nidal Malik Hasan. Each of these events has shaped the nation’s approach to counter-terrorism and national security.
