There are a number of civilian videos circulating showing Shamsud Din Jabbar’s attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The FBI and New Orleans Police Department confirm this is the suspect who carried out the attack. In this video that on
REGARD:
This is how the driver ended up on Bourbon Street. That’s awful. Prayers to all victims. pic.twitter.com/zFO9p0WsW2
— Nader Mirfiq (@Nader723) January 1, 2025
So many questions remain unanswered. The first question is: Why weren’t the security bollards installed? Accordingly local mediaThe city was in the process of replacing them before Super Bowl LIX, a fact that gave Jabbar an advantage in access.
A series of Security barriers which were installed in 2017 to prevent terrorist attacks along Bourbon Street is replaced At the start of the novel year on Wednesday, a driver sped down the city’s most famed thoroughfare, killing ten people and injuring dozens.
According to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration, the removable stainless steel bollards are designed to be securely locked at any crosswalk along Bourbon Street between Canal and St. Ann streets. The attack occurred near the intersection of Bourbon and Iberville streets.The bollard project began in November and was expected to last three months. This involves removing and replacing sections of road to remove the existing bollards. A news release from the city Tuesday evening noted that the project is ongoing, but did not provide details about the work that has been done so far.
The ancient barriers never worked particularly well, said Bob Simms, who until recently oversaw security initiatives for the French Quarter Management District.
“They were very ineffective. The track was always full of crap; Pearls and doubloons and God knows what else. Not the best idea,” Simms said. “At some point everyone realized they had to be replaced. They’re in the process of doing that, but the new ones aren’t operational yet.”
Simms said the ancient barrier at the crosswalk at Canal and Bourbon streets was removed several weeks ago. The equipment for a replacement is available, he said.
“They’re doing it in time for the Super Bowl,” Simms said. “It’s ironic in a way.”
Ironic – and ultimately tragic. Another question: Why weren’t law enforcement on high alert since the bollards weren’t in place? The video shows Jabbar driving past a patrol car just before he abruptly turns onto Bourbon Street at high speed to carry out his attack. The same police car responded after the attack, but by that point it was too little, too delayed.
A press conference was held Wednesday afternoon with FBI Special Agent Aletha Duncan, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, Republican Senator John Kennedy and other Louisiana elected officials, held to inform about the investigation against Jabbar and his movements. The press conference was also attended by sports officials who provided an update on plans for the Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled for Wednesday night but was postponed until Thursday, as well as revised plans for the Super Bowl in February.
Senator Kennedy said he would “raise new hell and hunt down those in the federal government who are responsible for getting answers like they stole Christmas.”
Kennedy also said he would demand the relevant investigative and homeland security agencies “catch these people. Catch these people. And then tell the American people the truth.”
