*This article covers a developing story and may be updated as more information is confirmed. Please recognize that this article will contain graphic imagery and videos.
At 3am on New Year’s Day, tragedy struck in New Orleans.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), an armed killer rammed his vehicle into a crowded intersection on Bourbon Street in downtown New Orleans. The terrorist killed at least 10 people and injured 35 more people. The suspect then fled his vehicle and started shooting at police officers—two of whom suffered nonfatal injuries. Fortunately, the NOPD neutralized the threat from committing any further violence.
Here is part of the NOPD’s official press release following this horrible tragedy:
The NOPD responded to a fatal traffic crash that occurred during the early hours today (January 1, 2024) at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets that has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, including the suspected perpetrator. At about 3:17 a.m., multiple law enforcement officers responded to a report of a vehicle having driven into a crowd of pedestrians on Bourbon Street. Multiple people were reportedly struck before the vehicle crashed. Upon further investigation, a total of 10 victims were declared to be deceased on scene. At this time, approximately 35 additional victims were determined to have suffered injuries in relation to this incident. Those injured were transported to multiple local and area hospitals via EMS for treatment. No updates are currently available on these victims’ conditions. After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was struck and subsequently declared deceased on scene. Further information on the suspect is not currently available for release.
In the early hours of the morning, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick both gave short press conferences to briefly discuss the attack. Cantrell specifically called the violent affair a “terrorist attack”, and Kirkpatrick shared that a combination of both local residents and tourists died in this terrorist attack.
The images and videos surrounding this attack are truly horrific. The videos below show the aftermath of this New Year’s Day catastrophe on Bourbon Street:
Multiple media outlets have identified the terrorist as 42 year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar. Here is Nola.com‘s update about the terrorist’s identity:
The suspect accused of plowing a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street is 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, according to a law enforcement source. The source said he was carrying an ISIS flag in the truck.
Many political pundits (specifically on Twitter/X) were already sharing images of a black flag stationed in the back of the terrorist’s vehicle.
In an interview with WDSU, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser said that he was unable to confirm the identity of the flag on the killers’ vehicle. So, we are not completely certain yet about this key fact in the story.
This attack has already made both national and international news. Many Louisiana politicians and numerous national-level political figures–including President-elect Donald Trump–have already responded to the attack on this major attack.
This terrorist attack in New Orleans comes on the heels of a similar terrorist attack in Germany committed by a Saudi immigrant. On December 20th, a Saudi refugee rammed a vehicle into a Christmas marked in East Germany–killing at least 5 people and injuring over 200 people.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is set to have a press conference later today to provide more information on the terrorist attack in downtown New Orleans.
We here at The Hayride will monitor the news coverage of this event and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Nathan Koenig is a frequent contributor to RVIVR.com , a national conservative political site affiliated with The Hayride. Follow his writing on the Louisiana First Standard Substack, on Twitter (X) @LAFirstStandard, on Tik Tok @la.first.standard & on Instagram @lafirststandard. Email him here: louisianafirststandard@proton.me