Shock in New Orleans

US authorities had warned of attacks

A man drove this pick-up truck into celebrating passers-by in New Orleans.

(Bild: AFP/Gerald Herbert)

In New Orleans, the new year began with an extreme act of violence. Just a few hours after midnight, a man, who has since been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar (42), drove his pick-up truck through celebrating passers-by in the French Quarter and fired from his vehicle. Federal investigators had previously warned against attacks with vehicles.

They had told local authorities that such acts were generally possible and that it was important to prepare for them. According to police, the incident occurred at 3.15 a.m. in a part of the city that tens of thousands of people visit for many events. The scene of the crime, the two main streets Canal and Bourbon Street, was still very busy well after midnight on New Year's Eve. 300 emergency services were out and about in the district on New Year's Eve.

However, they were unable to prevent the 42-year-old man - who is said to be a US citizen and was born in Texas - from driving off in terror. As reported, the perpetrator drove his vehicle through the celebrating passers-by and fired from the car. Ten people were killed and a further 35 were injured. The man is also said to have aimed at two police officers. Many people fled screaming, video footage showed traces of blood on the asphalt and people rushing to help.

The vehicle that committed the crime

(Bild: AFP/Gerald Herbert)

Ten people were killed and 35 others injured.

(Bild: AFP/Matthew Hinton)

The FBI assumes it was an act of terrorism.

(Bild: AFP/Matthew Hinton)

However, there was initially no information on the motive.

(Bild: AP/Matthew Hinton)

From "intentional behavior" to terror
Initially, the police spoke of "very intentional behavior" and "no drunk driving". Eventually, the authorities quickly announced that the driver was dead and that the crime was being investigated as an act of terrorism. The motive was initially unclear. A flag of the terrorist organization IS was found on the man. Whether and what connections he has to the Islamic State is still being investigated. According to US media, Jabbar is also an army veteran. 

"We do not believe that Jabbar alone was responsible," said special investigator Alethea Duncan.

Here you can see a posting from the FBI.

A picture of the suspect has also since been released:

Rescue workers were on the scene with a massive contingent. Eyewitnesses spoke of the high speed of the pick-up truck and that the police had fired shots.

Biden: "No justification"
Many politicians have already commented on the terrorist drive on social media. There is no justification for violence, wrote US President Joe Biden on the X platform. He expressed his condolences to the victims and their families and promised to keep himself informed of further developments.

"Please join Sharon and me in praying for all the victims and first responders on the ground," wrote Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, referring to his wife Sharon. He called on people to avoid the area of the crime.

Trump: "Criminals are coming into the country"
Meanwhile, future US President Donald Trump made a reference to illegal migration. "When I said that the criminals coming into the country are much worse than the criminals we have in the country, it has proven to be true," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. According to the FBI, there are currently significantly fewer violent crimes in the USA than a few years ago.

There was a similar incident in the French Quarter in 2017. A driver crashed into a crowd of spectators at a carnival parade. He was "heavily intoxicated" and rammed into two cars, it was reported at the time. 28 people were injured, five of them seriously.