NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — A truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35 others, according to authorities.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Police identified the driver as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a Texas resident who may have ties to ISIS.
The victims include 28-year-old Tiger Bech from Lafayette, who was remembered as an athlete at St. Thomas More Catholic High School. Another victim was Nikyra Dedeaux, a teenager from Mississippi, whose family expressed their grief over her loss.
Two women in their 20s from Fort Myers, Florida, were among the injured and remain hospitalized. The University of Georgia confirmed that one of its students was critically injured in the attack. The student’s identity has not been disclosed.
First responders provided emergency medical care at the scene, while authorities secured the area and launched an investigation.
Officials are examining evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine the motive and whether Jabbar acted alone or in coordination with others. The FBI has set up a hotline for tips and is urging the public to share any relevant information.
In response to the tragedy, city officials are reviewing security protocols for large gatherings and coordinating with federal agencies to prevent similar incidents. Expressions of support and solidarity have poured in from across the country as relief efforts continue.
