Bourbon Street Vigil: “Outpouring of Love” in New Orleans

People in New Orleans mourned Saturday night on the famous street after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd in the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing and injuring a reveler.

A makeshift memorial with crosses and pictures of the 14 victims who died in the attack can be seen with candles, flowers and teddy bears. Relatives of the victims held each other, some crying over the loss of their loved ones.

A brass band also played as part of what turned into a celebration of life as the crowd snapped their fingers, swayed and followed the music down Bourbon Street.

The coroner’s office described the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force trauma.” As a result of the attack, about 30 people were injured. University Medical Center New Orleans said 13 people remain hospitalized, including eight in intensive care.

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Nathan Williams, a student at the University of New Orleans, lights a candle at the Bourbon Street memorial for the victims of the deadly truck attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)

The suspect was identified as Shamsud-Deen Jabbar, 42, a former US Army soldier who declared his support for Islamic State militants in videos posted online hours before the attack.

Jabbar was shot and killed by police during a shootout at the crash scene on Bourbon Street. Authorities say he got out of the crashed truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and fired at police, injuring at least two officers, before he was shot and killed by officers.

The FBI said no one else helped Jabbar terrorist attack.

Kathy Tenedario, whose 25-year-old son Matthew was killed, said she was touched by all the outpouring of sympathy and kindness at Saturday’s vigil.

“This is the strongest reaction of love, an outpouring of love. I sail through it all,” she said.

People walk past a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of the deadly New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)

Autrele Felix, 28, left a handwritten card next to a memorial for his friend Nicole Perez, who died in the attack.

“It means a lot to see our city come together when a real tragedy happens,” Felix said. “We all become one.”

Other people who crowded around the brass band said the best way to honor the victims was to party and have a good time.

“Because they were here to do it, they had a good time,” said New Orleans resident Kari Mitten.

President Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members affected by this tragic attack.”

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Friends of Karim Badawi, the victim of a deadly New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for the victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP)

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The first pre-Mardi Gras parade of the carnival season was set to take place on Monday, and New Orleans will also host the Super Bowl next month.

Police used multiple vehicles and barricades to block traffic at Bourbon and Canal streets after the attack. Other law enforcement agencies helped provide additional security, according to New Orleans police spokeswoman Reese Harper.

“These efforts to improve security will continue on a daily basis, not just during major events,” Harper said in a statement.

The Assault on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day was the deadliest IS-inspired attack on US soil in years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.