By Patrick Aboud

A screenshot of CCTV footage of the attack in the French Quarter. Photo credit: CCTV via Wikimedia Commons.

At around 3:15 am on January 1, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old man from Texas, intentionally drove a rented white Ford pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Jabbar proceeded to hop out and get into a gunfight with the police. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation quickly after the events unfolded, deeming it a terrorist attack. Jabbar hung an ISIS flag from the back of his truck, having pledged himself to the terrorist group in videos posted on social media. Despite these facts, the FBI has concluded that Jabbar acted alone in the attack and was not in coordination with the group.

According to AP News, FBI special agent Lyonel Myrthil, who is in charge of the New Orleans Field Office, said, “Jabbar also traveled to New Orleans twice in the months preceding the attack.” While there, he recorded the streets of the French Quarter through his smart glasses. This was believed to be in preparation for his coming attack. 

This terrifying attack resulted in the death of 14 individuals, whose backgrounds ranged from tourists to Louisiana residents, to people in town to watch the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. An additional 35 people were injured in the attack, all of whom are recovering from their sustained injuries. 

One of the victims, Nicole Perez, 27, was last seen eating dinner with her family, laughing and having a good time before she went out to celebrate New Year’s on Bourbon Street. “She was so happy always,” her mother, Martha Perez, said. “She’s never [coming] back with me. Somebody killed my daughter,” Perez told CNN. Her family was left to tell her five-year-old son the heartbreaking news.

The Sugar Bowl, pitting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the Georgia Bulldogs, which was set to take place on New Year’s Day, was pushed back to January 2 due to safety concerns. The game was played with no security issues, with the Fighting Irish winning 23-10. After the attack, local organizers pledged an uptick in security for future events taking place in the city, including the Super Bowl, which took place on Feb. 9 in the Superdome. 

The New Orleans community, known for its resilience, has expressed extreme grief and support for those affected by this tragedy. My grandfather Edward Mathes, a life-long New Orleans resident, said, “The city came together very well,” in light of the events, and that this situation shows the strength of the city as a whole. As investigators continue to examine the events, authorities look to understand what events led Jabbar to his actions.

In the following days of the attack, the authorities searched Jabbar’s home in Houston, Texas. The search revealed a plethora of evidence, including ISIS propaganda, a personal manifesto, along with detailed maps of the French Quarter. This confirmed the FBI’s suspicions that the attack was planned well in advance. Along with this, multiple automatic weapons and loads of ammunition were discovered in Jabbar’s home, though none were used in the attack. When authorities spoke to his neighbors, they revealed that he was a reserved individual and was not very involved in the community.

The attack has left the city of New Orleans with many questions about its open, active, and lively culture and how to balance it with the need for security. This is crucial for the city, as New Orleans profits heavily from tourism and large-scale events, making public safety a top priority for government officials. Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) announced plans to collaborate with federal agencies to create a security strategy that’s tailored to the distinctiveness of the city of New Orleans. Cantrell said in a speech following the attack that she plans to “take every necessary step to put even more safety procedures in place.” Local leaders have advised the people of New Orleans to stay wary, while still embracing the city’s cultural traditions. 

In the wake of the attack, political leaders across the country expressed support for the city and its people. President Joe Biden gave a speech condemning the violence on Jan. 6 and pledged federal aid for the city. 

In the public’s eye, the attack sparked many emotions, including, anger, grief, and a sense of unity for the city. Hundreds gathered the following days at Bourbon Street memorials for those who lost their lives, leaving flowers, candles, and notes on the sidewalks. 

Internationally, the city received lots of support as well, even from French President Emmanuel Macron. On X, Macron noted the historical ties between France and New Orleans, and wrote in both French and English, “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the injured, as well as with the American people, whose sorrow we share.”

Featured image credit: flickr user ajay_suresh.