15 dead, dozens injured after car plows into crowd in New Orleans: 'Horrific act of violence'
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO/AP) — Fifteen people are dead and dozens are injured after a pickup truck plowed into a group of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans early on New Year's Day, the New Orleans Police Department said.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell called the incident a "terrorist attack" during a press conference on Wednesday. On Wednesday, New Orleans Police stated that the incident was intentional and preliminary investigations revealed that the driver drove around barricades to conduct the act.
According to FBI officials, 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, of Texas, was driving an alleged rented Ford truck with what appeared to be an ISIS flag on the back.
Sources have confirmed to Nexstar's WGNO that the suspect in the crime was shot and killed by NOPD officers in a return of gunfire.
The mass casualty incident took place around 3:15 a.m. at the corner of Bourbon and Iberville streets. After hitting the crowd, FBI agents said Jabbar got out of the truck and fired shots last the law enforcement officers.
The two officers who were shot are currently in stable condition, according to NOPD.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick in a press conference Wednesday. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could."
A search of the vehicle revealed that weapons and a potential IED was found along with other IEDs in the French Quarter. Special Agent Bomb Technicians have partnered with police to determine if the devices are viable.
Bourbon Street has been shut down for the time being, NOPD said Wednesday. FBI officials advise drivers and pedestrians to avoid the surrounding area including Canal to St. Ann streets.
Investigators were combing the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
President Joe Biden said the FBI is investigating the “horrific incident” as “an act of terrorism” and that he has directed his team to ensure every resource is available as authorities work to “get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible.”
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” Biden said in a written statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
"A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene," said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.
FBI agents said they are currently working to confirm Jabbar’s possible association with the ISIS terrorist organization.
What we know about the victims so far
Reggie Hunter
Reggie Hunter had just left work and was headed with a cousin to celebrate New Year’s when the attack happened, his first cousin Shirell Jackson told Nola.com.
Hunter was killed and his cousin was injured, Jackson said.
Officials have not yet released the names of the victims, but their families and friends are talking about them.
Nikyra Dedeaux
18 year-old Nikyra Dedeaux was celebrating New Year's Eve with her friend Zion Parsons. Parsons said Dedeaux dreamed of becoming a nurse. Parsons said he watched as a vehicle suddenly appeared and hit Dedeaux.
He described the crowd scattering and the gruesome aftermath.
“Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering,” Parsons said.
He said he watched as authorities put a tarp over Dedeaux’s body. He later called Dedeaux’s family to tell them what had happened.
“I hadn’t had time to cry up until I called her mother and she asked me, ‘Where’s my baby’,” Parsons said. “That broke me.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story.