Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Christian leaders in Louisiana have responded to a terrorist attack on a New Year’s celebration in New Orleans.
The attack, which the FBI and law enforcement officials confirmed to the Associated Press was carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar and possible accomplices, took place just after 3 a.m. on Bourbon Street. The suspect, who died in a firefight with police, drove a pick-up truck into a crowd killing at least 15 and injuring dozens. Fox News reports that authorities revealed Wednesday afternoon that an ISIS flag was inside the vehicle and they are working to locate possible accomplices.
Speaking live on WWL-TV, New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno revealed that Jabbar was in full military gear at the time of the attack.
City officials announced that the Sugar Bowl has been postponed to Thursday allowing police and the FBI to follow up on leads and determine if the football game was at risk for an additional attack.
Weapons and a potential IED were located in Jabbar’s vehicle with other IEDs located in the French Quarter, according to the Catholic News Agency, giving weight to the decision to postpone the Sugar Bowl. Bomb technicians are working to determine if the bombs are live and if others are located around the city. Police have asked citizens and tourists to be vigilant and report any unusual packages or boxes.
“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.”
Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans told the National Catholic Reporter Christians should pray for the victims.
“Our prayers go out to those killed and injured in this morning’s horrific attack on Bourbon Street,” Aymond said in a statement.
“This violent act is a sign of utter disrespect for human life. I join with others in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in offering prayerful support to the victims’ families. I give thanks for the heroic duty of hundreds of law enforcement and medical personnel in the face of such evil,” the archbishop said.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said on X the news was not what people wanted to wake up to. “Many of us woke up this morning to devastating news of the brutal intentional slaughter of innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. I’m praying for the victims and their families and will ensure they get justice for this appalling act. Please avoid the immediate area at this time and listen to the law enforcement officers who are still on the scene.”
The attack has now become the deadliest on US soil since 9/11.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
