New Year’s Day was overshadowed by a terrorist attack in New Orleans and a possible terror incident in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
In New Orleans, a truck operated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a veteran and U.S. citizen, breached a barrier under construction and a police roadblock, crashing into pedestrians on a bustling street in the renowned French Quarter. After being confronted by local police, Jabbar exited the vehicle and opened fire, injuring two officers before being fatally shot in return fire. The incident resulted in at least 15 deaths and left 30 more injured. His truck displayed a flag associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and FBI investigators revealed that they suspect he was collaborating with other terrorists involved in a larger scheme—police found multiple improvised explosive devices planted around the site by four additional suspects.
Meanwhile, authorities are looking into an incident in Las Vegas where a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump Hotel early Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to seven others. Officials reported that the Cybertruck, rented from Turo, was packed with fireworks and fuel containers and was detonated by the driver. The identity of the driver and the reasons behind the explosion are still undisclosed.
