NEW ORLEANS — Following the shocking New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, where 15 people lost their lives and at least 35 others were injured, state officials are assuring the public of their safety efforts and accountability measures.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has expressed confidence in the safety of New Orleans, stating during a Thursday appearance on Fox News, "We believe the city, I’m convinced, is safe." He stressed the importance of honoring the victims by ensuring their deaths were not in vain, reminding the public, "All of them had come to the city to enjoy some entertainment and bring in the new year." He added, "We can’t live in fear," emphasizing the resilience of the city.
Following the attack, which is being investigated as terrorism, the FBI confirmed the assailant acted alone. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, was killed by police after he used his pickup truck to plow through the crowd. Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, was found with an ISIS flag inside his vehicle, and reports indicate he voiced support for the terror group prior to the incident.
During this tragic period, security measures have ramped up significantly across New Orleans. Governor Landry declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to allocate resources effectively for upcoming major events, including the Sugar Bowl. "We will not tolerate heinous acts of crime such as the one this morning to dampen the Louisiana spirit and ruin our way of life," he stated, promising enhanced safety protocols.
Local law enforcement agency, including the New Orleans Police Department and the FBI, are intensively engaging with the community to investigate the attack. Over 1,000 law enforcement officials are sifting through surveillance footage, conducting interviews, and analyzing data to track down everyone involved. "We are working tirelessly to assemble this puzzle," Landry remarked about the investigation on Wednesday.
Critically, the city has stepped up police presence dramatically to assure safety for the Sugar Bowl, with reports of hundreds of officers being deployed. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed, "We are staffing up at the same level, if not more, than we were prepared for the Super Bowl," adding extra measures not only to secure the game but to prevent any potential follow-up attacks.
Despite the severity of the situation, public sentiment toward officials’ reactions has turned sour, particularly after Governor Landry's controversial social media post. Just hours after the attack, he shared a cheerful photo of himself dining at Bon Tob Prime Rib steakhouse, stating he was proud to be part of "this incredibly resilient city." Many viewed this as lacking sensitivity considering the tragedy; social media backlash ensued as critics labeled the post as tone-deaf.
Landry later defended his actions, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining normalcy for tourists, stating, "It's important to understand we have many visitors in the city right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know we do not cower to radical Islamic terrorists." This response has not alleviated the criticism, with many expressing disappointment at the lack of appropriateness during the funeral hours for those lost.
Further complicity arose from Lieutenant Governor Bill Nungesser, who criticized New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s lack of foresight concerning community safety. Nungesser slammed the city for failing to implement fully functioning barricade systems which may have halted the assailants access to Bourbon Street. Responding to questions about the police’s barriers during the attack, Cantrell cited Mardi Gras beads as impediments impacting barricade functionality, explaining the response effectively at the time.
Pushing the need for improvement, Nungesser stated, "To think someone wasn't on top of this is unthinkable," reinforcing the demand for heightened accountability and safety mechanisms. "There seems to be clear leadership failures leading to this attack, and I trust Governor Landry will take corrective measures," he added.
The investigation continues to rule out connections to other recent incidents, like the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel. According to the FBI, no definitive links have been established between these events. Today, flags at state buildings have been lowered to half-mast, honoring the lives lost during this harrowing incident. Local officials continue piecing together evidence from this tragic day, assuring the community and safely hosting festivities as New Orleans rallies to restore its spirit.