Sun Jan 05 18:35:16 UTC 2025: ## New Orleans Truck Attack: Lone Wolf Attack Kills 14, Raises Terrorism Concerns
**New Orleans, LA (January 6, 2025)** – A lone wolf attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day left 14 dead and approximately 30 injured. The perpetrator, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former U.S. Army soldier from Houston, Texas, was shot and killed by police after a firefight. FBI officials confirmed Jabbar acted alone, though investigations are ongoing into potential associates domestically and internationally.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen, had previously visited New Orleans in October 2024, recording video of the French Quarter using hands-free glasses. He also travelled to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, prior to the attack, the significance of which remains unclear. He proclaimed support for the Islamic State (IS) group in online videos posted hours before the incident.
The attack, described as the deadliest IS-inspired assault on U.S. soil in years, involved a rented truck and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found near the crash site. Authorities discovered bomb-making materials at Jabbar’s Houston home and his New Orleans rental property, where he attempted to set a fire. The truck used in the attack was rented over six weeks prior to the event.
President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans on Monday to offer condolences to the victims’ families and the community. The attack has heightened concerns about both foreign and homegrown terrorism, with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighting a rise in homegrown violent extremism. The incident has also raised questions about security measures in the French Quarter, as retractable bollards designed to prevent vehicle access were malfunctioning at the time of the attack. The first parade of the Carnival season, leading up to Mardi Gras, is scheduled for Monday evening, with the Super Bowl set for February 9th. The New Orleans coroner’s office has identified all 14 victims, with most being in their 20s.
First Piper 