Terror in New Orleans

Key takeaways

A terrorist attack occurred in New Orleans on New Year's Eve 2025, led by a lone perpetrator who was a U.S. Army veteran.
The investigation reveals that the attacker recorded videos pledging allegiance to ISIS shortly before the attack, showcasing his radicalization.
The impact of the attack is profound, with a focus on the victims and a community grappling with the trauma of violence in a once-celebratory space.

Summary

Terror Attack in New Orleans

In the early hours of 2025, a horrific act of terrorism occurred in downtown New Orleans, leaving 14 dead and dozens injured. The chaos erupted when a pickup truck, driven by Shamsuddin Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran, sped through the Bourbon Street area, wreaking havoc on New Year's Eve celebrations. Eyewitness accounts vividly described the scene transitioning from festive celebration to utter mayhem, with people frantically trying to escape. Jabbar was shot and killed by police during the attack, and it was later confirmed he was acting alone despite initial speculation of a coordinated effort.

The Investigation and Motive

The FBI quickly determined that Jabbar acted independently, dispelling theories that suggested others were involved in the planning of the attack. Investigators uncovered chilling details about Jabbar's radicalization journey, including a series of last-minute videos where he pledged allegiance to ISIS and detailed his intentions. Jabbar's life appeared normal on the surface—after serving in the military, he had a successful career and family life, raising serious questions about what led him to embrace such violent ideologies.

The Victims and Community Impact

The podcast also focused on the victims of Jabbar's attack, including stories of individuals who were enjoying the New Year's Eve festivities but tragically lost their lives. Among them was 18-year-old Nikaire Shayanda-do, who was about to embark on nursing studies, embodying the dreams and aspirations cut short by the violence. The broader community's concern about security vulnerabilities in public spaces like Bourbon Street was highlighted, drawing attention to previous warnings issued about potential terrorist threats in the area.

Show notes

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence and death.

A mere three hours into 2025, terrorism struck in downtown New Orleans.

The Times journalists Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Mike Baker, and Christina Morales discuss what we know about the attack, the man who carried it out and the victims.

Guests:

Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a reporter at The New York Times covering criminal justice.
Mike Baker, a national reporter for The New York Times.
Christina Morales, a reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The attack left 15 dead and about three dozen injured, and followed a distressingly familiar pattern of assailants turning vehicles into weapons.
The man identified as the suspect served in the U.S. military, worked at Deloitte and grew increasingly devout.
The attacker most likely acted alone, officials said.
Who were the people killed in the attack?

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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