New Orleans Terror Attack: A Deadly Start to 2025?

In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a deliberate vehicle ramming attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans claimed the lives of 15 and left and injured 35 others. The suspect, a former U.S. Army veteran inspired by ISIS, shocked the nation with an act of terror and pure evil. What led to this and if there’s any larger connection? Let’s uncover!

THE INCIDENT
Inside the New Year’s Day Attack in New Orleans

• At 3:15 AM on January 1, 2025, celebrations on Bourbon Street turned into chaos when a rented pickup truck rammed into dense crowds.

• The attacker then exited the vehicle and fired at police officers, injuring two, before being killed in a shootout.

• Casualties:

  • 15 fatalities, including two children.

  • 35 others injured, with some in critical condition.

• Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered in the vehicle, wired for remote detonation, but fortunately, they did not go off.

The Attacker

Background:

• Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was a former U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in 2020.

• After his military service, he converted to Islam and reportedly became radicalized through online extremist propaganda.

Motivation for the Attack:

• Hours before the attack, Jabbar posted videos saying he was inspired by the Islamic State group, expressing a desire to kill.

• An ISIS flag was found attached to the truck’s trailer hitch.

Investigators are examining his connections and any possible coordination with extremist networks.

Investigation and Further Details

• The FBI is treating the attack as an act of terrorism.

• Authorities are analyzing if he had any accomplices or received external funding.

• Upon preliminary findings, the FBI says it did not believe the attacker was ‘solely responsible‘.

• FBI has also asked for the public’s help tracking down his associates.

• The IEDs discovered in the truck highlight a concerning escalation in tactics, as previous vehicle ramming attacks rarely involved explosives.

Vehicle Ramming Terrorism

• Vehicle ramming attacks have been used frequently by lone-wolf terrorists inspired by extremist ideologies.

• Past incidents include:

  • The New York City truck attack in 2017, which killed 8 people.

  • The Charlottesville attack during the United Night Rally, which killed one woman

These attacks are often carried out in public spaces, targeting dense crowds during celebrations or events to kill and instill fear.

Why are vehicles used as weapons?

• Vehicles are easy to acquire and require no specialized training to weaponize.

• They enable attackers to inflict mass casualties with little preparation, making them a preferred method for extremists.

The New Orleans attack also highlights the vulnerability of public spaces in the U.S. to such lone-wolf terrorist attacks.

Our Take

The New Orleans vehicle ramming attack shows the evolving nature of terrorism. The authorities should investigate all the possible angles and get to the bottom of this evil act of terror.

COMMUNITY

📊 Last Week’s Poll: Which issue do you think will have the most impact on the political landscape in 2025?

Many of you answered National security and global conflicts would be a big issue in 2025 and it didn’t even take a day for it to come true.

WORLD SPOTLIGHT

• President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's determination to reunify with Taiwan in his New Year address, amid escalating military activities and tensions following Taiwan's presidential transition in May 2024.

• A 1,100-pound metallic ring from a rocket crashed into Mukuku village in southern Kenya yesterday, creating a sound heard 30 miles away. Kenya Space Agency has secured the debris and launched an investigation to determine its origin.

NEWSWORTHY

#1 — 1 person dies when Tesla Cybertruck catches fire and explodes outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel 🚨 

#2 — Biden to award Liz Cheney, others with Presidential Citizens Medal for Jan. 6 Investigation 🎖️

#3 — A new generation begins in 2025, marking the end of Gen Alpha 🎉 

PERSONAL UPDATES FROM GEN

I hope you're all having amazing holidays!

First off, thank you so much for supporting our mission and channel in 2024. Just last year, I was balancing this and a full-time 9-5 job. If it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t be here pursuing this full-time dream.

With the new year, many of us are thinking about new goals for the future — and I want to help. Every year, I share my Year-End Goals Template — the exact system I used to grow to 500K+ subscribers in 2024.

I’ve used this simple, organized method every year to stay accountable to my goals, both personal and professional. And the best part? I’m giving it to you completely free. Get your copy here: https://functional-snail-fba.notion.site/GEN-Year-End-Goals-Template-167baa39f1028022b0ede48a7b2c441e

2025 is going to be huge. I’ve got big plans, and I’m marking my words: we’re going to do bigger and better things together this year.

Let’s make it our most successful year yet!

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