On New Year's Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former United States Army veteran, carried out a horrific attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, using his rented truck to ram through crowds celebrating the new year, killing 14 people and injuring many more. The tragedy echoes throughout the city as new details emerge about Jabbar's preparation for the attack, including his use of Meta smart glasses to record video footage of the vibrant area just months before the incident.
According to the FBI, Jabbar had visited New Orleans twice prior to the attack, first on October 30 and again on November 10. During these visits, he was seen cycling through the French Quarter, wearing Meta smart glasses—designed to look like regular eyewear yet capable of recording or livestreaming video. This footage, taken during his exploratory trips, is believed to have helped him scout his location for the deadly strike.
The attack commenced early on January 1, 2023, when Jabbar drove his rental Ford F-150 onto Bourbon Street with lethal intent. Eyewitnesses described the scene as Jabbar accelerated through barriers, aiming to inflict maximum damage upon revelers. "He drove the pickup truck down Bourbon Street at a very fast pace and was intentional about trying to run over as many people as he possibly could," noted police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
Among the 14 victims of this atrocity was Edward Pettifer, who was visiting from the UK, and described as the stepson of Prince William and Harry's nanny. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed the 14th victim, LaTasha Polk, who worked as a nursing assistant and was only 14 years old. The local community has been shaken to its core, as families mourn the senseless loss of life, with vigils held to honor the fallen.
Prior to the attack, reports indicate Jabbar had purchased multiple firearms and reconnaissance tools, including both guns and explosives. Hours before carrying out his attack, he reportedly visited several gun shops and made stops to acquire coolers intended to conceal improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Footage from home cameras later revealed Jabbar unloading his truck at the rental property he was staying at shortly before the attack. FBI officials stated he had strategically placed IEDs around Bourbon Street, demonstrating forethought and planning. Two such devices were later neutralized, having been hidden inside coolers. Fortunately, they did not detonate as intended.
During this disturbing event, the FBI confirmed Jabbar was motivated by radical beliefs and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, as evidenced by the various videos he posted to social media just hours before the attack. Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI's special agent for New Orleans, remarked, "We believe he was wearing [the smart glasses] throughout the evening of the attack. We don’t have any indication he was actually recording, but he was wearing those glasses," implicatively highlighting Jabbar’s methodical planning.
Many questions remain surrounding Jabbar’s motives and background, with investigators also exploring his travel history, which included trips to Cairo and Canada. The FBI emphasizes they have yet to find any indications of accomplices involved, describing Jabbar as having acted alone. Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said, "We have not seen any indications of an accomplice in the United States, but we are still looked at potential associates, both here and outside our borders."
Jabbar's legacy is not merely marred by violence; it leaves behind unanswered questions about future public safety, especially as city officials, including New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, seek guidance on how to bolster protective measures during large events like Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. Amid rising concerns about security risks for future gatherings, local leaders have engaged experts to reassess the effectiveness of existing barriers and crowd control strategies.
This tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder of the challenges facing communities nationwide, grappling with the specter of radical violence. The investigation remains active as officials work continuously to piece together Jabbar's movements leading up to the horrific attack, leaving many to wonder how to prevent future occurrences.