The New Year began with a horrific tragedy on Bourbon Street, as terror suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar used an electric Ford F-150 Lightning as a weapon, mowing down revelers in a calculated attack that left 14 dead. The carnage only ended when police fatally shot Jabbar, who also opened fire on responding officers. The incident was not just another random act of violence—it was a terrorist attack tied to ISIS, according to the FBI.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: how did this even happen? Bourbon Street is no stranger to massive crowds and rowdy celebrations, especially on New Year’s Eve. You’d think securing a high-profile event in a high-profile area would be a no-brainer. Yet here we are, mourning the loss of 14 innocent lives because a temporary barrier was inexplicably left down. How do you allow vehicles to access a pedestrian-packed area during one of the biggest party nights of the year? This wasn’t just a failure—it was negligence.
Security expert Paul Mauro hit the nail on the head when he pointed out the growing trend of vehicles being used as weapons in terrorist attacks. Add the stealth factor of electric vehicles—quieter than traditional gas-powered trucks—and you have a recipe for even more destruction. Did Jabbar specifically choose an EV to maximize casualties? It certainly looks that way. Combine that with his support for ISIS and the discovery of improvised explosive devices nearby, and this attack screams premeditation.
What’s more frustrating is how preventable this tragedy could have been. The barriers that were supposed to protect Bourbon Street weren’t operational, leaving an open lane for Jabbar’s deadly rampage. It’s not as if New Orleans is new to massive events like Mardi Gras or the Sugar Bowl. Yet someone made the decision to prioritize upgrading barriers over keeping them operational during one of the city’s busiest nights. The result? A glaring security gap that cost 14 lives.
NOLA: New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick did not realize the city had ‘Yellow Archers’ on New Years Eve. The devices would have stopped the ISIS terrorist from killing pedestrians on Bourbon Street had they been used. Kirkpatrick makes $335,000 a year. pic.twitter.com/16VDz8w0Yh
— @amuse (@amuse) January 3, 2025
Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s response to domestic terrorism threats has felt more like lip service than meaningful action. For years, conservatives have been warning about the dangers of homegrown and international terrorism, while leftist leaders focused on softer, less politically thorny issues. The tragic events on Bourbon Street should serve as a wake-up call: virtue signaling won’t stop terrorists. Action will.
This is so hard to watch.
Some of the family members of the victims walked on Bourbon Street for the first time since the attack.
The country is praying for them🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) January 4, 2025
The heartbreaking accounts from witnesses and survivors paint a grim picture of a night that was supposed to be about celebration turning into chaos and despair. Kevin Scott, a chef working nearby, described scenes of bodies scattered across the street and people running for their lives. His emotional plea for unity and peace highlights what so many Americans are feeling: this senseless violence has to stop.
But stopping it requires more than words. It requires acknowledging real threats, securing vulnerable areas, and holding those responsible for lapses in security accountable. Jabbar’s lone-wolf attack, fueled by ISIS propaganda, is a stark reminder that the threat of terrorism is far from over. Let’s hope this tragedy spurs real action to prevent future attacks—because thoughts and prayers won’t bring back the lives lost on Bourbon Street.
