A rented Ford pickup truck, displaying the flag of the Islamic State, ran through a large crowd celebrating New Year on Bourbon Street and Canal Street in New Orleans. It was driven by a U.S. Army veteran. The driver, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, exited the truck armed with two firearms and began to shoot at police after crashing into an aerial work platform. 15 people were killed. The driver, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who had bypassed a police barricade, was subsequently shot and killed by police.
In Brief: Details of the 2025 New Year Celebration Truck Attack in New Orleans
Jabbar, the suspected driver, maneuvered a rented Ford F-150 Lightning truck around a police SUV and barricades set up on Bourbon Street for crowd control. He then drove the vehicle into pedestrians along a three-block stretch between Canal and Conti streets. The following are the key details:
• Death and Injuries: According to New Orleans Coroner Dwight McKenna, at least 16 people, including the suspected driver, lost their lives in the incident. At least 35 others sustained injuries. Some were critical. Emergency responders transported 30 of the injured to 5 local hospitals following the attack. Other injured individuals sought medical attention independently. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that most victims were local residents.
• Perpetrator Background: The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar. He was a 42-year-old American citizen born and raised in Texas who resided in a Houston neighborhood in northern Harris County at the time of the attack and was a former resident of Beaumont. Jabbar served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as a human resource specialist and information technology specialist. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. His criminal history included a 2002 misdemeanor theft arrest and a 2005 arrest for driving with an invalid license.
• Might Not Be Alone: Althea Duncan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans field office, mentioned in a press statement that investigators believe Jabbar did not act alone. The New Orleans Police Department reviewed surveillance footage suggesting that others may have been involved. This footage appears to show individuals planting potential explosive devices before the vehicle attack, leading authorities to believe that Jabbar was not the sole perpetrator.
• Islamic Stated Inspiration: The FBI is leading the investigation of the attack and has opened a tip line. Investigators found two pipe bombs inside coolers on Bourbon Street a few blocks from the attack. The devices were rigged for detonation, and connected to a wireless remote found in the truck. The FBI has inquired as to whether the suspect was connected to or inspired by a foreign terrorist organization. Jabbar discussed ISIS and a desire to kill in videos made while driving to New Orleans. An ISIS flag was attached to the rear hitch of his rented vehicle.
• Rented Ford Truck: The Ford F-150 Lightning truck used in the attack was reportedly rented through the car-sharing app Turo. It was owned by Rodrigo Diaz who had it listed for rental. Law enforcement preliminary findings indicate that the truck involved in the New Orleans attack was observed in north Harris County, Texas, on Tuesday. Subsequent sightings were reported in Harris County at approximately 10:15 am and 11:10 am. It was later seen on Interstate 10 heading to New Orleans.
• Other Similar Attacks: A Tesla Cybertruck, rented through the same Turo app, caught fire and exploded outside of Trump International Hotel Las Vegas at 8:40 am on 1 January 2025. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible terrorist attack. Initial findings suggest the explosion was caused by “fireworks-style mortars” within the vehicle and not due to a lithium battery issue. 1 person inside the Cybertruck was killed. 7 individuals sustained minor injuries. Law enforcement is investigating a potential connection between this incident and a previous attack in New Orleans.