In a shocking turn of events on New Year’s Day, a tragic incident in New Orleans has drawn significant attention. A driver, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, ran down 14 people in a terror attack inspired by ISIS. According to authorities, this chilling act was supposed to have been even more devastating, as Jabbar had intended to set off two explosive devices with a transmitter.
The FBI and ATF revealed in a joint statement on Friday that these explosives had been strategically placed along Bourbon Street, a location that shortly after became a scene of horror. Fortunately, these devices never went off, but the reason remains a mystery. Investigators are unsure whether it was caused by a technical glitch, a failure to activate, or some other unknown issue. The authorities discovered the transmitter, along with two firearms, in Jabbar’s vehicle, and these items are now being sent for detailed examination in an FBI lab.
Officials who were briefed on the situation explained that Jabbar had employed a rare type of explosive compound, something not seen before in any terror attack in the United States or Europe. This raises a critical question for the investigators: how did Jabbar gain the skills to concoct such a complex explosive? His ability to produce it is a focal point of the ongoing investigation.
The catastrophic events unfolded as Jabbar, aged 42, drove a pick-up truck onto a pedestrian-filled sidewalk, easily bypassing a police blockade meant to protect the celebrators in the bustling street. Law enforcement officers acted swiftly and ended Jabbar’s life shortly after the attack unfolded. Remarkably, Jabbar, who was born in Texas and had served in the US Army, left behind more chaos when he set fire to a short-term rental home on Mandeville Street. This property, packed with bomb-making materials, was a part of his attempt to obliterate evidence related to his crimes.
Responding to an early morning alert, the New Orleans Fire Department was at the scene around 5:18 a.m. While Jabbar’s act of arson did not result in widespread damage—the fire extinguished itself before consuming more of the property—it did clear the way for crucial evidence retrieval. This included various bomb-making precursors and a device suspected to be a homemade silencer for a rifle. The authorities are confident in stating that Jabbar was the only person capable of setting the blaze.
Despite the gravity of the situation and the questions that linger, the FBI emphasized that the investigation continues, maintaining that there is no evidence to suggest that Jabbar had any accomplices. In light of this tragedy, a period of mourning has been set to begin on Monday. President Joe Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden, is scheduled to visit New Orleans, offering their condolences and support to the grieving families and communities affected by this heinous attack.
