New Orleans holds vigil for victims of Bourbon Street terror attack: ‘Outpouring of love’
People in New Orleans mourned at a vigil Saturday night along the famous thoroughfare after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing and injuring revelers early on New Year’s Day.
A makeshift memorial with crosses and pictures of the 14 victims killed in the attack was seen with candles, flowers and teddy bears. Relatives of the victims hugged and some were seen crying over the loss of their loved ones.
A brass band also played as part of what turned into a celebration of life as the crowd snapped their fingers, swayed and followed the music down Bourbon Street.
The coroner’s office cited “blunt injuries” as the cause of death for all 14 victims. About 30 other people were injured in the attack. University Medical Center New Orleans said 13 people remained hospitalized, including eight in intensive care.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SURVIVORS OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW ORLEANS
University of New Orleans student Nathan Williams lights a candle at the Bourbon Street memorial for victims of the deadly New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)
The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Army soldier who declared his support for the Islamic State militant group in videos posted online hours before the attack.
Jabbar was shot and killed by police during an exchange of gunfire at the crash scene on Bourbon Street. Authorities say he got out of the crashed truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and fired at police, wounding at least two officers before the officers killed him.
The FBI said Jabbara was not assisted by anyone else in the terrorist attack.
Cathy Tenedorio, whose 25-year-old son Matthew was killed, said she was touched by all the expressions of sympathy and kindness at Saturday’s vigil.
“This is the strongest response of love, an outpouring of love. I float through it all,” she said.
People walk past a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)
Autrele Felix, 28, left a handwritten card next to a memorial for her friend Nicole Perez, who was killed in the attack.
“It means a lot to see our city come together when a real tragedy happens,” Felix said. “We all become one.”
Other people who gathered around the brass band said the best way to honor the victims was to have fun and have a good time.
“Because they were doing it down here, they were having a good time,” said Kari Mitten, a New Orleans resident.
President Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members affected by the tragic attack.”
NEW ORLEANS TERROR VICTIM WITH BROKEN LEGS SAYS HE FEELS ‘HAPPY’: ‘I’M ALIVE’
Friends of Kareem Badawi, the victim of a deadly truck attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for the victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)
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The first parade of the carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras was set to take place on Monday, and New Orleans will also host the Super Bowl next month.
Police used multiple vehicles and barricades to block traffic on Bourbon and Canal streets after the attack. Other law enforcement agencies helped provide additional security, according to New Orleans police spokeswoman Reese Harper.
“These heightened security efforts will continue on a daily basis, not just during major events,” Harper said in a statement.
The Assault on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day was the deadliest IS-inspired attack on US soil in years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
