At least 14 people are dead and dozens are injured after an ISIS-sympathizing attacker drove a truck through Bourbon Street at about 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 1. 

42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar struck dozens with his vehicle and eventually opened fire on responding officers before he was shot and killed by police. Bombs were also found in his vehicle and in coolers he placed nearby. 

Bourbon Street sees heavy traffic on any given night, but New Year’s Eve festivities meant the area was particularly busy. 

New Orleans resident Domonick Hayes recounted the attack as one that escalated quickly. Hayes was at The Page, a bar nearby on North Rampart Street, during the attack. 

“It was a beautiful night,” Hayes said. “Everybody was really into the New Year’s spirit, and it just all crumbled in about five minutes.” 

Hayes saw people running out of the French Quarter and police entering after hearing gunshots, which he mistook as New Year’s Eve fireworks.  

“Once I realized what happened, because I recently had a stroke and I can’t run, my friends went and got the car and picked me up, and we left,” he said. “I really didn’t grasp at that time how bad and how big this was.” 

At around 5:30 a.m. on the day of the attack, a small fire broke out in a nearby Airbnb. A search conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exposed bomb-making materials in the residence. The fire was later linked to the Bourbon Street attacker.  

Since Jabbar has been identified, information about his past and connection to ISIS has surfaced. Jabbar is a Texas-born U.S. citizen and served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. In a series of videos posted to social media by Jabbar just a few hours before the attack, he claimed to have joined ISIS in the summer of 2024.  

While Jabbar called himself a member of ISIS and flew an ISIS flag on the truck he used in the attack, the White House has not identified foreign involvement in the attack.   

Failed security measures on night of attack 

Jabbar was able to plow his truck through Bourbon Street because the barriers that typically stood to stop cars were not in place. The city began replacing the barriers in November 2024 in anticipation of Super Bowl 59.  

In the barriers’ place stood a police car, which Jabbar swiftly evaded by driving around it on the Bourbon Street sidewalk.    

The lack of barriers left Bourbon Street especially vulnerable to vehicular attacks.  

According to a confidential security report prepared by Interfor International, the security firm hired by the French Quarter Management District, the bollards in place to block vehicles from entering Bourbon Street did not work. The 2019 report stated that Bourbon Street was vulnerable to a “vehicular ramming” attack.   

The report also warned that “the risk of terrorism – specifically mass shootings and vehicular attacks – remains highly possible while moderately probable;” a clear prediction of what was to transpire on Jan. 1.  

State of emergency  

 In light of the attack, Gov. Jeff Landry issued a state of emergency in Orleans Parish and ordered the mobilization of military police to aid state and local authorities and the FBI. 

 “[The state of emergency declaration] will allow for the utilization of all available state resources ahead of the Sugar Bowl, Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras,” Landry’s press release stated.   

 Bourbon Street reopens 

 City officials reopened Bourbon Street Thursday afternoon, allowing residents and tourists alike to flock back to the famous street just in time for the Sugar Bowl.  

U.S. Department of Homeland Security forces and New Orleans Police Department officers patrolled Bourbon Street and surrounding areas.  

One armored military vehicle and upwards of thirty police cars lined the nearby Canal Street. 

“It feels like a funeral,” Lucky Dogs employee Stahili Glover said in response to Bourbon Street’s reopening. Glover was only a few blocks away during the attack. The same day, he attempted to return to work on Bourbon Street before realizing it was closed. 

“Bourbon doesn’t close,” he said.  

Da One Way Brass Band gathered on Bourbon Street  on Jan. 2., playing songs like “Hallelujah” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” 

 “We came out today, and we’re trying to see if we can uplift the energy,” band member Tyronne Johnson said. “All I know is to come out here, play my horn and show the people my feelings.”

Memorializing lives lost 

Nine victims have been identified by families and communities following the attack. 

Roberto Marquez, an artist who travels across the country in the wake of different tragedies, erected numerous colorful crosses on Canal Street to memorialize the 14 lives lost.   

“Hopefully these families that are in pain can see that the community cares about them,” Marquez said.  

Yellow roses, Mardi Gras beads and other mementos were placed near the intersection of Canal Street and Bourbon Street on Thursday under a sign that read “R.I.P. We will never forget y’all. N.O.L.A Strong!”  

New Orleans Councilman Eugene Green underscores the strength of the New Orleans community in the wake of tragedy.  

“Our citizens are very resilient and we’re going to continue to rebuild, if you will, the image of our city as a place that you can come in that is safe,” Green said.  

Hayes believes that the attack should not deter people from spending time in New Orleans.  

“Being a New Orleanian, I feel like if you let these things stop you from enjoying the city, then they won. Whether the terrorists win, or just in general people trying to cause a disturbance and mess up the nice stuff we have in the city that the world come to enjoy. If we stop enjoying it, then they succeed in their mission.”

Tulane’s response  

Tulane University President Michael Fitts released a statement on Jan. 1 stating that at that time, the university was not aware of any current Tulane students, faculty or staff being among the victims.  

Adam Coste, former assistant professor of military science, was among those injured in the attack. Coste worked at Tulane for over 12 years.  

Coste sustained extensive injuries to his lower extremities after being struck by the attacker’s vehicle, according to a GoFundMe organized by Coste’s friend.  

Tulane will be releasing more information regarding campus safety in the coming days, according to Tulane spokesperson Michael Strecker.