A Terrorist Attack Hit The City Of New Orleans On New Year’s Day
By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
Each day, we wake up hopeful, thinking that good things will happen. We don’t think that something bad will occur. That is simply not our mindset.
Now more than ever before, our world is under attack and siege. Regions of the world are being victimized by unhinged people and groups. They gain access to devices that cause injuries and death. Families are torn apart physically and emotionally by them.
Improvements have been made to protect our citizens from mass destruction. We have enhanced technology, and our surveillance systems have improved. Intelligence with people on the ground has also deterred weapons of mass destruction and people using them.
The city of New Orleans believed it was safe; however, on New Year’s Day, that changed. The Crescent City was the scene of a deadly terrorist attack. The attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pick-up truck around a police barricade in the French Quarter. This part of New Orleans is a main attraction and was packed with visitors because of the New Year celebrations.
The perpetrator was killed after being in a shootout with the New Orleans Police Department. It is obvious that he did not fear death. Reports say that he was a lone wolf and acted alone.
The FBI has confirmed the lone wolf report. “We do not assess at this point that anyone else is involved in this attack”, said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia. He made this statement at a news conference on Thursday.
Immediately after this crime was committed the French Quarter was on lockdown. Law enforcement at all levels started a sweep of the Quarter and the surrounding area. Authorities found two additional devices which they destroyed.
Both residents and the hundreds of visitors were in a state of shock and sadness in New Orleans. How could this atrocity happen on New Year’s Day?
There are 14 people who lost their lives due to this senseless tragedy. A night of celebration turned into an early morning loss of lives. Those families affected could never have imagined this deadly scene.
Those victims left their homes feeling happy not knowing their lives would end so violently. There aren’t any ways to understand what entered the killer’s mind. He plotted and planned this intentional annihilation of human life.
Now the FBI, which is leading the investigation, is trying to piece together a possible motive for this horrific attack. Reports say that Shamsud-Din Jabbar joined ISIS last summer. They have received over 400 tips since the bombing.
Jabbar had an agenda to kill and to destroy. Nothing was going to stop him. His target was Bourbon Street, one of the most famous streets in the world.
Living here, I have been on Bourbon Street countless times never fearing for my safety. The atmosphere is friendly and is symbolic of the kindness you find in the Big Easy.
Reports say that Jabbar visited New Orleans earlier to record video of the Bourbon Street area. He was cold and calculating in his moves to create mayhem.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will visit the city in the coming days and will meet with the families of the victims. During their time here, they will also be meeting with law enforcement officials.
On Saturday night, there was a vigil held in honor of the victims. Hundreds of people gathered at the entrance to Bourbon Street as prayers were said and flowers were placed at the memorial site. A musical tribute was also performed by local musicians.
The eyes of the nation have been on the city of New Orleans for all the wrong reasons. New Orleans is a resilient city and will come back from this terrorist attack. We will not bow down or turnaround to those who try to harm our city.
