President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit New Orleans on Monday to mourn the loss of at least 14 people and support those affected by the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. The couple will meet with families, community members, and local officials.
Speaking at a White House event, President Biden shared that he has already spoken with the families of the victims. The attack was carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who drove a truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve in the French Quarter. After a gunfire exchange with police officers, Jabbar was shot and killed. Authorities later identified him as a 42-year-old from Texas, a U.S. Army veteran.
The FBI revealed that Jabbar posted videos online expressing support for ISIS before the attack, claiming he had joined the group earlier in the year. He rented a truck through the Turo app in Houston, then drove to New Orleans, where he posted five videos on Facebook. These videos made clear that Jabbar was inspired by ISIS, though authorities have found no evidence of accomplices.
In addition to the truck, FBI bomb experts found two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers, which had been placed in the French Quarter before the attack. Jabbar also had a remote detonator in the truck. Investigators recovered multiple electronic devices, including three phones and two laptops, linked to him.
Since the attack, President Biden has been working closely with his Homeland Security team, ensuring that all resources are dedicated to the investigation. In a statement, he expressed solidarity with the people of New Orleans, emphasizing that the attack would not break their spirit. Biden vowed to continue the fight against ISIS and other terrorist organizations, ensuring they have no place to hide.
