New Orleans attack latest: Death toll now at 15 as FBI looks for others who helped suspected terrorist
The suspect, who was shot and killed, has been named as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar
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Your support makes all the difference.The suspect who killed at least 15 people and injured dozens of others after ramming a truck into a crowd of people in New Orleans had an ISIS flag in the vehicle, the FBI confirmed.
The suspect, who was shot and killed by police, has been named by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
The incident took place at 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday on the city’s famed Bourbon Street in the first hours of New Year’s Day, as Jabbar allegedly evaded police barriers around the French Quarter and drove into the crowd.
The suspect acted with “very intentional behavior,” police said. Two officers were struck in a gunfire exchange with the suspect and are now in stable condition.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism.” New Orleans police said the driver was trying to “run over as many people as he possibly could.”
Officials do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are investigating if he had accomplices.
The car attack prompted officials to delay the upcoming Sugar Bowl college football quarter final for 24 hours. The match is now scheduled for Thursday.
Watch live: New Orleans Police give update after gunman drives car into crowd and opens fire
Sugar Bowl postponed after Bourbon Street attack
Officials have decided to postpone the 2025 Sugar Bowl college football game, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday.
“All parties and all agree that it’s in the best interests of everybody and of public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said on Wednesday during a press conference. “Work is fast about to set up a safe and efficient and fun environment for tomorrow night. There will be more details on that in the coming hours, but for now that’s the plan.”
Senator John Kennedy said during the press conference the decision to postpone the game was “very wise.”
“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know, and it’s just not worth it,” he said.
Officials don’t believe car attacker worked alone
Officials believe New Orleans car attack suspect 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar worked alone.“We do not believe Jabbar was solely responsible,” FBI agent Alethea Duncan said on Wednesday during a press conference. “We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates.”
Baton Rouge father of two killed, cousin injured in attack
Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was among the 10 people killed in the New Orleans car attack during New Year’s celebrations, according to family.
His cousin Shirell Jackson told NOLA.com that Hunter got off work and headed to Bourbon Street with a cousin. “They decided to go out there because he came in from work and said, ‘Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go to the city,” Jackson said. “Just something so simple. Hey cuz, had, wanna ride me to the city?”
Hunter died of his injuries, while his companion was injured, Jackson said.
UGA student among injured in New Orleans attack
Information is emerging about those impacted by the New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans.
A University of Georgia student was among the at least 30 people who were injured.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead wrote in a statement.
“At this point, we have learned that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment,” he added. “I have spoken to the student’s family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community.”
Superdome on lockdown for security sweeps ahead of Sugar Bowl
Security officials have locked down the New Orleans Superdome for security sweeps, after a New Year’s Eve car attack on Bourbon Street that killed 10 people, the Associated Press reports.
The stadium is set to host the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame.
The game was originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. local time.
Mississippi teen killed in attack
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was among those killed in the New Orleans car attack, her family said.
“I just want to see my baby,” Melissa Dedeaux, 40, told the New Orleans Advocate. “She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything.”
Dedeaux was in New Orleans to celebrate the new year on Bourbon Street with a cousin.
She graduated from high school in 2024 and was planning on studying nursing.
NFL ‘confident’ Super Bowl will be ‘safe’
The NFL, due to hold the Super Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in February, has said it is “confident” attendees will have a “safe and enjoyable experience.”
Read the full statement.
Everything we know about suspected terrorist involved in New Orleans mass killing
The suspect in this morning’s deadly attack has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar and he had an ISIS flag in his car, according to reports.
The FBI is now investigating the incident “as an act of terrorism.”
Kelly Rissman reports on everything we know about the suspect and the tragedy so far.
Shamsud Din Jabbar: Everything we know about suspected New Orleans terrorist
The suspected attacker had an ISIS flag in his truck, according to reports
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