A deliberate attack occurred where a man drove his pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 deaths and 35 injuries. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
Bourbon Street is famous for its vibrant nightlife, jazz music, colorful culture, and historical significance. It is considered one of the birthplaces of American jazz and hosts the iconic Mardi Gras festival.
The attacker, Jabar, had weapons and an Islamic State flag in his vehicle. He also posted a video on social media pledging allegiance to the Islamic State before the attack.
The attacker used a lane reserved for ambulances to bypass a police car blocking the street. This allowed him to accelerate and drive into the crowd.
Jabar was a 42-year-old U.S. military veteran who converted to Islam. He had financial struggles, two failed marriages, and was described as increasingly radicalized in recent years. His attack was motivated by his allegiance to the Islamic State.
Approximately 300 police officers were patrolling the area. They quickly responded to the scene after hearing the crash and cries for help, engaging in a gunfight with the attacker, who was eventually shot and killed.
Vehicles are easily accessible, require no special training, and can cause mass casualties quickly. Terrorist organizations like the Islamic State have encouraged their followers to use vehicles as weapons in public spaces.
A separate explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas was linked to a man who served in the same military base as Jabar. The FBI is investigating potential connections between the two incidents.
Although the Islamic State lost much of its territory and its leader was killed, it remains active in rural areas and continues to inspire lone-wolf attacks globally. The organization promotes strict adherence to its interpretation of Islamic law.
Cities are reevaluating security measures for large public gatherings, particularly the effectiveness of roadblocks and barriers. The New Orleans incident serves as a lesson for improving safety protocols during events.
在新年前夜,在這座無拘無束的小鎮,波旁街是最熱鬧的中心。街頭藝人隨處可見,演奏著爵士樂,穿著各種服裝,音樂與最近的酒吧裡播放的聲音交融。在陽台上,本地人和遊客一起喝酒跳舞,俯瞰著源源不斷的人群,那些始終密集的群眾,彷彿被無窮的能量驅動。