The suspected terror attacker who killed at least 15 people in New Orleans has been identified – as names of the victims begin to emerge.
The FBI said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, died in a shoot-out with police and was born and raised in America.
Sky’s US partner NBC News obtained a picture of him from officials in Texas, where he lived.
New Orleans latest: Follow live updates
Jabbar drove a pick-up truck around barriers and ploughed into a crowd celebrating the New Year early on Wednesday.
A white stick – believed to have held a black ISIS flag – can be seen on the back of the truck.
Dozens were also injured in what the FBI is treating as terrorism after an Islamic State (ISIS) flag was found on the back of the vehicle.
It happened around 3.15am on the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets in the city’s French Quarter, an area popular with tourists.
The attacker was shot dead after he crashed and opened fire on officers. Two police were injured in the firefight but are expected to recover.
A gun and an AR-style rifle were recovered from the truck and the FBI said a “potential IED” (improvised explosive device) was found alongside the weapons.
Pic via NBC News
A black flag with white lettering lies on the ground next to the crashed truck. Pic: AP
Image:
A black flag with white lettering lies on the ground next to the crashed truck. Pic: AP
Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP
Other potential IEDs were discovered nearby and special agent Alethea Duncan said two had been made safe – with police combing the area for any other suspicious items.
The FBI said it did not believe Jabbar was “solely responsible” and urged anyone with information or images of him to get in touch.
However, senior law enforcement officials later told NBC News that four people seen in a video and initially suspected of laying IEDs had been ruled out.
New Orleans
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Play Video – Timeline of New Orleans attack
Timeline of New Orleans attack
‘Hell-bent on carnage’
New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick told reporters: “[The attacker] was trying to run over as many people as he could. He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage that he did.”
Witness Jimmy Cothran told NBC News the truck was going around 70mph and there were only “flimsy” barricades along Bourbon Street to stop it.
He said within “two minutes tops” the driver was “long gone” and police officers were chasing him on foot.
New Orleans police0:18
Play Video – Moment police react to news of attack
Moment police react to news of attack
One of those killed in the attack has been named by family as Tiger Bech, 28.
His brother Jack posted on X: “Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”
The HR manager of financial firm Seaport Global confirmed Mr Bech was an employee and “very well regarded”.
Reggie Hunter, 37, from Baton Rouge in Louisiana and a father of two, also died.
His cousin, Shirell Jackson, told NBC News she rushed to University Medical Center but Mr Hunter was pronounced dead.
She described the warehouse manager as an “awesome person” and “a little-bitty guy” with a “big heart.”
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What more do we know about suspect?
New Orleans eyewitnesses describe carnage
Shamsud-Din Jabbar0:28
Play Video – New Orleans suspect ‘says hello’ on old promo vid
New Orleans suspect ‘says hello’ on old promo vid
Attacker had terrorism service medal
Police chief Anne Kirkpatrick said barriers and police cars had been blocking the street but that the attacker drove around them onto the pavement.
“We did have a car there, we had barriers there, we had officers there – and they [the attacker] still got around,” she told reporters.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell said new bollards for the street were still in the process of being completed in time for the city hosting the Super Bowl next month.
Suspected attacker Jabbar held human resources and IT roles in the army from 2007 to 2015, defence officials told NBC.
He was also deployed to Afghanistan between 2009 and 2010, with a “global war on terrorism service medal” among his awards.
He then moved into the reserves from 2015 to 2020, leaving with an honourable discharge, and appearing in a YouTube video the same year to say he was working as a real estate agent.
New Orleans is in the southeast of the US
Image:
New Orleans is in the southeastern US
President Biden called the New Orleans attack a “horrific incident” and said “every resource” would be available to “get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat”.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” he said.
Incoming president Donald Trump called it “an act of pure evil”.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick1:10
Play Video – Police describe New Orleans ‘carnage’
Police describe attack ‘carnage’
The scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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The area is famous for its bars and nightlife. Pic: AP
Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump appeared to suggest the attacker was from outside the US.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” he said.
Mr Trump added: “Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”
Bourbon Street is famous for its bars and clubs and was expected to be extremely busy on New Year’s Eve.
As the incident unfolded, officials had warned people to “get yourself away from the area” after a “mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd”.
The city was also hours from the annual Sugar Bowl college American football game, which was set to attract tens of thousands of people and has now been postponed for 24 hours.
