The French Quarter of New Orleans is world-famous for its unique culture and lively nightlife. 1 Bourbon Street, this ancient street, is the heart of the French Quarter and a must-stop for tourists to experience the charm of New Orleans. It is dotted with bars, restaurants and various entertainment venues, with flashing neon lights and deafening music. Whenever night falls, Bourbon Street transforms into a sea of joy, where tourists sip cocktails, enjoy jazz, and feel the energy and passion of the city. Bourbon Street is even more lively on New Year’s Eve, with people from all over the world gathering here to welcome the new year.
However, the New Year of 2025 is destined to be a sleepless night for New Orleans. The midnight carnival had not yet ended. At 3:15 in the morning, a white pickup truck suddenly rushed into the crowded crowd on Bourbon Street. Screams and gunshots instantly tore apart the hustle and bustle of holiday joy… The carnival city of Sugar Bowl instantly turned into a purgatory on earth. 14 people died and 35 people were injured. Behind these cold numbers are the brokenness of 14 families and the heavy damage to 35 lives.
Event history
Surveillance footage recorded this horrifying scene: a white Ford pickup truck, in order to avoid a police car, rushed onto the sidewalk crazily and crashed into the unsuspecting crowd. Subsequently, the attacker jumped out of the car, armed with an AR-10 semi-automatic rifle and a Glock pistol, and fired wildly. Two police officers were injured in the crossfire. Eventually, three police officers arrived on the scene and shot the attacker dead. But those few minutes left scars on New Orleans’ night that can never be erased.
The FBI characterized the attack as a terrorist attack and quickly discovered the identity of the attacker. He is 42-year-old U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar. Jabbar is a veteran from Texas. Before the incident, he rented a Ford F-150 pickup truck and carried an AR-15 rifle, a Glock pistol and an improvised explosive device in the car. He even left a will. Hours before the attack, Jabbar checked into a house he rented through an online platform in New Orleans and placed explosive devices there, but the devices did not detonate. The FBI released a photo of a refrigerated container containing an improvised explosive device. Is it a malfunction or is there another reason? In addition, Jabbar was wearing a body armor when committing the crime. There are various signs that this was a premeditated and well-prepared terrorist attack.
The Ghost of ISIS
What is even more shocking is that Jabbar posted multiple videos on social media a few hours before the attack, declaring his allegiance to ISIS and saying that he joined the organization last summer. At the time of the attack, a black ISIS flag hung prominently on the rear bumper of his truck. ISIS, the full name of “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant”, also known as “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) or “Daesh” (Daesh), is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgency and terrorist organization. The organization originated from the Iraq War from 2003 to 2011 and was formerly known as Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).
ISIS is notorious for its acts of extreme violence and brutality, including mass executions of captives and minorities, sexual enslavement of women and girls, and beheadings of soldiers and civilians. In 2014, ISIS declared an ISIS-led caliphate after making significant territorial gains in Iraq. Within the territory it controls, ISIS kills, rapes and tortures members of other faiths and targets Sunni Muslims who deviate from its harsh interpretation of Islam.
The international community has made a huge effort to eliminate ISIS. A U.S.-led military intervention ultimately drove ISIS from towns and cities in its self-proclaimed country. In October 2019, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed by U.S. forces in northern Syria. Although ISIS has been defeated, its ideological influence still exists, and some “lone wolf” attackers attracted by its extremist ideas will still launch terrorist attacks in the name of ISIS. The attacks in New Orleans may be one such example.
Suspicion in Las Vegas
Coincidentally, on the same day as the New Orleans terrorist attack, there was also a bombing in Las Vegas. A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, causing minor injuries to seven people and killing the driver at the scene. The investigation revealed that the Cybertruck was loaded with gasoline cans, camping fuel cans and large fireworks bombs. Police found a body and a handgun in the exploded vehicle, and the deceased was identified as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, an active-duty soldier. Las Vegas police said the bombing appeared to be a “suicide tragedy.” Investigators believe Livelsberger shot himself while detonating explosives in the car. The FBI said there was no evidence Livelsberger was hostile to President-elect Trump and that he may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other issues.
The New Orleans attack and the Las Vegas bombing, both occurring on New Year’s Day, both using rented vehicles and causing casualties, have raised questions about whether the two incidents are related. What’s even more strange is that both cars were rented through the same online car rental platform, Turo. Despite these coincidences, the FBI said it has found no clear connection between the two incidents. The attackers in New Orleans clearly intended to cause mass casualties, while the bombing in Las Vegas looked more like a suicide. However, as the investigation deepens, the connection between the two incidents may become more confusing…
##American Nightmare
In this tragedy, 14 lives were lost. They include students, workers, and beloved family members, ranging in age from 18 to 63, with most in their 20s. They came from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, and even visitors from the United Kingdom. Their stories are heartbreaking.
Kareem Badawi, 18, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a freshman at the University of Alabama. 30 He had excellent grades, was friendly to his friends, and was full of vision for the future. Unfortunately, he was killed in this attack. 30 His friends found it difficult to accept this fact and could only commemorate him with tattoos. 30 41
Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, from New York City, a former Princeton University football star player who worked in bond trading in the cybersecurity field in New York City after graduation. 31 His coaches and teammates remember him as a dynamic, talented athlete. 32 His brother Jack wrote on social media: “Love you forever brother! You inspire me every day and now you can be with me every moment. I will take care of my family, don’t worry. This is for us.” 31
Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, from Gulfport, Mississippi, dreamed of becoming a nurse, but her dream faded just when her life was about to bloom. 33 Her friend Zion Parsons witnessed the moment the pickup truck plowed into her and is still terrified. 33 He said: “A truck hit the corner and then went on a rampage, like a movie scene, throwing people into the air. It hit her and threw her at least 30 feet away. I’m lucky to be alive.” 33
Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two from Prairieville, Louisiana, died while celebrating New Year’s Eve with his cousin. 8 His cousin, Shirell Robinson Jackson, said Hunter was always full of energy and loved to joke, and his passing has brought great sadness to the family. 8 She said: “He loved his children, his sisters, his dad, all of us. He didn’t deserve to die like this.” 8This terrorist attack shocked American society, and people from all walks of life expressed condolences and condemnation. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called it a “horrible act of violence” and said he and his wife were “praying for all the victims and first responders on the scene.” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said New Orleans will not be intimidated by terrorism and will continue to host major events. U.S. President Joe Biden said the people of New Orleans sent a clear message: They will not let this attack or the attacker’s delusional ideology overcome us. He also said that the United States will continue to pursue ISIS and other terrorist organizations relentlessly, and they will not find any safe harbor here. However, tragedy has occurred and the lives lost cannot be restored. This incident has once again sounded the alarm for American social security.
Alarm bells ringing
In recent years, extremism has risen in American society, political polarization has intensified, and social divisions have become severe. These are all breeding grounds for terrorism. The COVID-19 epidemic, racial inequality, political elections and other factors have led to a surge in demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in some urban areas in the United States. Individuals and groups with opposing ideologies have confronted each other, leading to a spiral of radicalization, extreme speech and violence. This phenomenon is often referred to as mutual radicalization. The popularity of the Internet has also facilitated the spread of terrorism. Some extremist organizations, such as the “digital caliphate”, use online platforms to recruit members, spread extremist ideas, and incite hatred and violence. In addition, problems such as racial discrimination and religious conflicts in American society have also intensified social conflicts and provided soil for the occurrence of terrorism. The United States’ counterterrorism strategy must keep pace with the times in order to effectively deal with emerging threats such as the “digital caliphate”.
The New Year’s Eve terrorist attacks in New Orleans not only claimed 14 innocent lives, but also caused deep pain to American society and raised concerns about American national security and social cohesion. This incident once again reminds us that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind and requires the international community to work together to deal with it. At the same time, we also need to reflect on how we can eliminate the breeding ground for terrorism, such as online extremism and social polarization, and build a more peaceful and secure world. This requires the joint efforts of the government, society and individuals to strengthen supervision, promote dialogue, eliminate barriers and enhance understanding, so as to effectively prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Source Links
New Orleans mourns as Bourbon Street reopens after truck-ramming attack | In Pictures News | Al Jazeera 4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_New_Orleans_truck_attack
New Orleans: What we know about the attack and suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar
LIVE: Latest on deadly New Orleans terror attack investigation 5. What is the Islamic State group, and what attacks has it inspired? | AP News
FBI suspects soldier behind Las Vegas Cybertruck blast suffered from PTSD | Crime News | Al Jazeera
Las Vegas Cybertruck bombing outside Trump hotel appears to be suicide of veteran who had PTSD, FBI says - CBS News 12. Shocking connection between Tesla truck that exploded and pickup truck used in New Orleans massacre revealed - Hindustan Times
Why the United States is Targeted by Terrorism | START.umd.edu