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New Orleans House Fire Linked to Bourbon Street Terror Attack, Attorney General Says

At least 15 dead, 35 injured in horrific New Year’s attack, and a house fire two hours later appears to be connected, authorities claim.

A deadly and shocking terror attack unfolded early New Year’s Day in New Orleans, as a pickup truck barreled through a crowd on Bourbon Street, leaving a trail of devastation. At least 15 people lost their lives, and 35 others were injured when a suspect, later identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove through a barricade, targeting pedestrians. As the investigation intensifies, a house fire just two hours after the attack has emerged as a crucial link to the incident, according to Louisiana’s Attorney General.

Attack on Bourbon Street: A Moment of Terror

The morning of January 1, 2025, began with chaos when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, driving a pickup truck, crashed through a police barricade on Bourbon Street. The truck plowed into a crowd celebrating the arrival of the New Year, leaving 15 people dead and 35 others seriously injured. The scene was horrific: victims were trapped under the vehicle, and emergency responders rushed to the area to help.

Witnesses reported hearing loud screams and seeing the truck swerve at high speed, its driver showing no signs of slowing down. The attack took place in the French Quarter, one of the most iconic and crowded areas of New Orleans. Security footage revealed the chilling moment Jabbar broke through the police barricade, hitting pedestrians who had been enjoying the festivities.

orleans bourbon street terror attack

Authorities later confirmed that Jabbar was shot and killed by law enforcement after a brief shootout that also injured two New Orleans police officers. The FBI immediately launched an investigation into the incident, calling it a terrorist act. A flag associated with the jihadist group Islamic State was reportedly found attached to the truck’s trailer hitch.

Investigators Connect House Fire to Terror Attack

Just hours after the Bourbon Street attack, another event unfolded that only added to the sense of terror. Around 3 a.m. local time, emergency crews were called to a house fire at a residence located on Mandeville Street, about two miles from the French Quarter. Authorities quickly responded to the scene, where police, fire trucks, and even bomb squad personnel arrived to investigate what they initially described as a “small fire.”

By late Wednesday afternoon, the area remained cordoned off, and investigators focused on the home, which has since been linked to the earlier attack. Attorney General Liz Murrill spoke with local news station WDSU-TV, confirming that the house fire is connected to the terror attack on Bourbon Street.

“First, it tells us they planned this out,” Murrill said. “Secondly, it shows that they tried to cover this up.”

Explosives Found Near Law Enforcement Vehicles

As investigators pieced together the timeline of events, new details surfaced about the potential involvement of explosives. Surveillance video captured an explosive device being placed between two vehicles: one belonging to Louisiana State Police and another assigned to the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Both of these agencies had been providing supplemental support to local New Orleans police for several months as the city had faced a rise in crime.

The explosive device was discovered just hours after Jabbar’s attack, further suggesting that the attack was premeditated and that additional violence was planned. Investigators are now working to determine whether the device was intended to target law enforcement personnel or to cause further chaos after the initial attack on Bourbon Street.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar: The Man Behind the Wheel

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man responsible for the horrific attack, was a U.S. Army veteran with ties to Texas. He had a degree in computer information systems from Georgia State University and had worked for several years in the financial services industry with the firm Deloitte. Online records also show Jabbar held a real estate license until 2023.

Authorities have described him as a man with no known history of violent behavior before the attack. His sudden shift to terrorism has raised questions about his motivations. Was he acting alone, or was he part of a larger network of extremists? The FBI is currently exploring these possibilities, as they continue to investigate the background of the attack.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact

As New Orleans comes to grips with the aftermath of this devastating attack, residents and visitors alike are left shaken. Local businesses are closed, and security in the French Quarter has been heightened. Despite the chaos, many people have expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.

The investigation is still ongoing, with law enforcement agencies across the state and federal government working together to piece together every detail of the attack. The connection between the house fire and the terror attack raises even more questions about how well-coordinated the assailants were.

“We’re not just dealing with a single event,” Murrill said. “This was carefully planned, and we’re going to make sure we find out who else is involved.”

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