New Orleanians held a vigil along the famous boulevard Saturday night to pay their respects after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd early on New Year's Day, killing and injuring revelers. expressed his intentions.
A makeshift memorial made of crosses and photos of the 14 victims killed in the attack was seen along with candles, flowers and teddy bears. Relatives of the victims hugged each other, some weeping over the loss of their loved ones.
A brass band also played, and it was a celebration of life as the audience walked down Bourbon Street, snapping their fingers and swaying to the music.
The coroner's office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force injuries.” About 30 more people were injured in the attack. The University of New Orleans Medical Center said 13 people remain hospitalized, eight of whom are in intensive care.
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Nathan Williams, a University of New Orleans student, lights a candle at the Bourbon Street memorial for the victims of the New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans on Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP)
The suspect was identified as Shamsuddin Jabar, 42, a former US Army soldier who expressed support for the Islamic State group in an online video posted hours before the attack.
Jabbar was shot and killed by police during a shootout at the scene of the Bourbon Street accident. Authorities said the man, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, got out of the crashed truck and opened fire on police, injuring at least two officers before he was shot and killed by police.
The FBI said Mr. Jabbar received no assistance from anyone else in the terrorist attack.
Kathy Tenedrio, whose 25-year-old son Matthew was killed, said she was touched by all the condolences and kindness at Saturday's vigil.
“This is the most overwhelming reaction of love, an outpouring of love. I'm floating through it all,” she said.
People walk past a memorial on Canal Street honoring the victims of the New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans, Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP)
Autorel Felix, 28, left a handwritten card next to a memorial for her friend Nicole Perez, who died in the attack.
“It means so much to see our city come together when a true tragedy occurs,” Felix said. “We all come together as one.”
Others gathered around the brass band said the best way to remember the victims was to party and have a good time.
“They were here to do that and have a good time,” said Kari Mitten, a New Orleans resident.
President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans on Monday with First Lady Jill Biden to “express our condolences to the families and community members affected by this tragic attack.”
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Friends of Kareem Badawi, the victim of the New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans, pray at a memorial site after attending his funeral on Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP)
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The first parade of Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras is scheduled for Monday, and New Orleans will also host the Super Bowl next month.
Police used multiple vehicles and barricades to block traffic at Bourbon Street and Canal Street following the attack. Other law enforcement agencies also helped provide additional security, New Orleans Police Department spokeswoman Reese Harper said.
“This increased safety effort continues every day, not just during large events,” Harper said in a statement.
The New Year's Bourbon Street attack was the deadliest Islamic State-inspired attack on U.S. soil in recent years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
