A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of January 1 in New Orleans when an army veteran drove a truck into a crowd, leading to multiple casualties.
Unilad reported that fifteen people lost their lives and thirty individuals sustained injuries when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck through a bustling New Year's Eve crowd in a premeditated attack.
The chaos erupted on a busy street that was home to festive celebrations as the new year dawned. Revelers were taken by surprise as Jabbar reportedly drove the rented Ford pickup truck into a gathered crowd.
The horrific event left a trail of devastation in its wake, claiming the lives of fifteen people, including one 18-year-old whose texts to his family have been released, according to an NBC News report on January 2.
Jabbar acted alone in committing this grave act of violence. Following the chaotic impact, law enforcement arrived swiftly at the scene. Jabbar, whose background includes military service, was confronted by police officers after he exited the vehicle and opened fire on them.
In the confrontation, Jabbar was shot dead by officers, putting an end to the immediate threat. The FBI reported the injury and hospitalization of two officers due to this altercation. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was identified by the FBI as a U.S. citizen from Texas. His attack, involving a rented Ford pickup, has prompted investigations into his motive and affiliations.
Among the casualties were Kareem Badawi, an 18-year-old, and his friend Parker Vidrine.
Badawi's father, Belal, voiced the immense sorrow his family is experiencing. "We’re going through an awful time right now, our son is just 18 years old," he shared, describing his son as both intelligent and a good-hearted friend.
The Badawi family was reunited for the holiday season, which brought Kareem back home. Recalling a poignant memory, Belal stated, "Everyone was back together for the holiday period, that’s why he was back in town." The festive spirit turned into a nightmare for many, as the last text exchange between father and son occurred shortly after midnight.
Belal received a New Year's greeting from Kareem, which turned out to be their final conversation. "I texted him at midnight to say Happy New Year, and he replied saying 'Happy New Year Daddy', and that’s the last time I heard from him," Belal recounted. The discovery of the horrifying news led Belal and his family to try desperately to reach Kareem.
"We kept calling him after we saw the news, because we knew he was in the attack area," Belal stated, emphasizing the frantic attempts to connect with his son. These personal accounts highlight the profound personal tragedies that emerged from the larger public disaster.
As authorities work to understand the complexities of the attack, an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle Jabbar drove.
This discovery has intensified investigations into his potential ties to terrorist groups. Statements from the FBI have outlined the sequence of events, marking this as a significant line of inquiry.
"After hitting the crowd, he exited the vehicle and fired upon local law enforcement. Law enforcement returned fire, and the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene," the FBI detailed in a statement. Efforts continue to piece together how Jabbar acquired the truck and his precise motives.
This recent attack has cast a pall over what is typically a time of joy and celebration in New Orleans. The loss experienced by families like the Badawis is both personal and widespread throughout the community.
With two law enforcement officials wounded, the violent incident also underscores the dangers faced by those who serve to protect.
The information regarding Jabbar's plans or affiliations, including the presence of an ISIS flag, remain under close examination. Authorities and the city’s populace are left grappling with the senselessness of the violence that shattered the start of the new year.
