The New Year’s celebration on Bourbon Street turned tragic when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, armed with terroristic intent, unleashed chaos by plowing through crowds with his pickup truck. The horrifying attack, which took place just after 3 a.m. on January 1, claimed the lives of 14 individuals and injured at least 35 more. According to FBI New Orleans Special Agent Lyonel Myrthil, Jabbar, 42, conducted his grisly planning using Meta smart glasses to record the area prior to the incident.
Jabbar first visited New Orleans, staying at a rental home, from October 30 to November 1, where he filmed his surroundings on a bicycle, gauging the French Quarter's layout. He made another trip to the city on November 10. That reconnaissance seemingly laid the groundwork for his subsequent attack. Myrthil revealed at a press conference, “Meta glasses appear to look like regular glasses, but they allow the user to record videos and photos hands-free.” Jabbar wore these glasses during the assault but did not activate them.
The details of the attack reveal how well-planned it was. Jabbar entered Louisiana around 2:30 p.m. on December 31, unpacked his rented Ford F-150 at Airbnb at 10 p.m., and shortly after midnight, lit the rental home on fire—an act the authorities believe was intended to be both a distraction and to destroy evidence of his criminal intent. “We believe he did this and his hope was to burn the entire house down and hide evidence of his crimes,” said Joshua Jackson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives special agent.
After setting the fire, Jabbar left for Bourbon Street, where he placed two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before conducting his attack. The explosives were hidden within coolers, strategically left on the busy street to maximize their impact. One IED was left at the intersection of Bourbon and St. Peter streets at 1:53 a.m. Remarkably, someone moved this cooler away from its original position, potentially averting more destruction. The second device was placed at the intersection of Bourbon and Toulouse streets just before 2:20 a.m.
Officials were relentless to highlight the heroism of first responders. Had the police not acted quickly, Jabbar might have detonated his IEDs before he fled the chaos, where he also fired at fleeing crowds. The violence ended with Jabbar's death, courtesy of police gunfire.
Governor Jeff Landry identified the victims, stating, “Latasha would’ve wanted the city to turn out in celebration, but tinged with grief but not in fear,” referring to Latasha Polk, the last victim to be named. Jabbar’s actions have sparked fierce discussions about safety on Bourbon Street, typically teeming with tourists and revelers. Mayor LaToya Cantrell called for an immediate review of the city's security plans, emphasizing the need for enhanced measures.
Security systems around Bourbon Street had already been under scrutiny, particularly after the New Year’s attack showed gaps. A recent assessment concluded existing barriers were inadequate against vehicles speeding through the area, raising alarms about how Jabbar managed to drive his pickup truck onto one of the city’s busiest streets.
At the press conference, Cantrell announced plans to have tactical experts review existing public safety strategies concerning potential risks associated with ramming attacks, stating, “This is work in progress, and we’re committed to doing everything necessary toensure public safety measures.”
While investigators continue to piece together Jabbar’s movements leading to the fateful evening, they are also analyzing his travels to Egypt and Canada. According to reports, he had also visited these countries during 2023, prompting inquiries as to whether those trips could be linked to the attack.
The FBI, which is treating the incident as terrorism, discovered numerous weapons, bomb-making materials, and an ISIS flag inside Jabbar's truck. They are now examining internet activity associated with Jabbar leading up to the holidays.
This incident raises complex concerns about public safety, urban security measures, and the means available to terrorists. The chilling nature of using modern technology such as Meta smart glasses for planning and execution shakes the core of how security measures will be enforced moving forward, especially within high-traffic areas known for celebration.
Law enforcement is reminding the public of the importance of staying vigilant amid these threats. “We did have plans,” said Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. “But the terrorist defeated it.” This statement rings true as cities ponder how to safeguard citizens against future attacks.
With investigations still underway, the impact of the tragedy will echo through New Orleans and beyond for the foreseeable future. The horror of New Year’s will forever be marked as both an act of terror and as the starting point for new discussions about urban safety and active terrorism measures.