People inside New Orleans mourned Saturday night at a vigil along the famed thoroughfare after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing and injuring partygoers early on New Year’s Day.
A makeshift memorial with crosses and photos of the 14 victims killed in the attack was on display with candles, flowers and teddy bears. The victims’ relatives held each other, some crying over the loss of their loved ones.
A marching band also played as part of what became a celebration of life, as the crowd snapped fingers, waved and followed the music down Bourbon Street.
The coroner’s office listed the cause of death for all fourteen victims as “blunt force injuries.” About thirty 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 SURVIVORS OF THE NEW ORLEANS TERROR ATTACK
Nathan Williams, a student at the University of New Orleans, lights a candle at a Bourbon Street memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)
The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Army soldier who expressed support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before the attack.
Jabbar was shot by police during an exchange of gunfire at the scene of the crash on Bourbon Street. Authorities say he left the crashed truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and shot at police, wounding at least two officers before he was shot and killed by officers.
The FBI said Jabbar was not helped by anyone else terrorist attack.
Cathy Tenedorio, whose 25-year-old son Matthew was killed, said she was moved by all the condolences and kindness at Saturday’s vigil.
“This is the most overwhelming response of love, an outpouring of love. I’m floating through it,” she said.
People walk past a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)
Autrele Felix, 28, left a handwritten card next to a memorial for his girlfriend Nicole Perez, who was killed in the attack.
“It means a lot to see our city come together when a real tragedy occurs,” Felix said. “We all become one.”
Other people crowding around the marching band said the best way to honor the victims was to party and have fun.
“For them to come here and do that, they had a good time,” New Orleans resident Kari Mitten said.
President Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with first lady Jill Biden on Monday to “mourn with the families and community members affected by the tragic attack.”
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Friends of Kareem Badawi, victim of the deadly New Year’s Day truck attack 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 scheduled to take place 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 in the aftermath of the attack. Other law enforcement agencies have helped provide additional security, said Reese Harper, spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department.
“These enhanced safety efforts will continue every day, and not just during major events,” Harper said in a statement.
The Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s Eve was the deadliest ISIS-inspired attack on US soil in years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
