By Baptist Message staff
NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Hours after an individual intentionally drove his truck down Bourbon Street and killed at least 10 people and injured 35 on New Year’s Day morning, Louisiana Baptist leaders expressed sympathy and asked for prayers for those impacted by what the FBI is investigating as a terrorist attack.
According to a New Orleans Police Department news release, at around 3:17 a.m., multiple law enforcement officers responded to a report of a vehicle having driven into a crowd of pedestrians on Bourbon Street after exiting Canal Street. Multiple individuals were reportedly struck before the vehicle crashed.
Once the vehicle stopped, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who then returned fire. Two officers sustained injuries and were transported via emergency medical services to a local hospital and were last listed in stable condition, while the suspect died.
A news release from the FBI said the suspect has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas. He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which the FBI said that it appears to have been rented.
The FBI said an ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and they are working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.
Weapons and a potential IED were located in Jabbar’s vehicle, and other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter, the FBI said. Their special agent bomb technicians have been working with law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices were viable, and they have committed to render those devices safe.
NOPD asked that the public avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Streets and also east to Royal Street to west to Dauphine Street until further notice while the investigation continues.
WWL-TV in New Orleans reported that an explosive device was also discovered at the scene, prompting the FBI to take over the investigation.
“The purposeful mass casualty attack in New Orleans is pure evil,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “I am praying now for first responders and medical personnel as they assist the injured. I am praying for families of the deceased as they deal with the horrific news. I am praying for our churches who minister in this city daily.
“On this first day of 2025 we are reminded of the evil that surrounds us,” he continued. “Join me in praying and working to establish a culture of evangelism that will counter this evil with the hope and truth of the Gospel.”
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Jamie Dew said the incident was another reminder that the world is broken and that “we have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. I’m confident that the Christians throughout the city of New Orleans will rise to the occasion and show the love of Jesus Christ in this dark moment. I’m also grateful for the steady hand of our chief of police, Anne Kirkpatrick, and her team that serves us all so well. With everyone else, we pray for the justice and mercy that only Jesus can give.”
Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley echoed the thought.
“Our hearts are deeply grieved by the tragedy in New Orleans,” he said. “We are praying for all the city officials and law enforcement at this time. This kicks off the new year with a tragic reminder of the brokenness of sin and the desperate need for the message of Jesus Christ to saturate our cities. We have 23 Send Network Louisiana planters in the New Orleans metro area. Praying for them and the 140 churches of New Orleans Baptist Association during this time.”
New Orleans Baptist Association Executive Director Jack Hunter said chaplains with Baptist Community Ministries have been with first responders and are in area hospitals as “the tears and presence of Christ in this dark agony.”
