
Ten people were killed and dozens injured by a terrorist who drove his truck into pedestrians in New Orleans. This is a breaking news update. Get the facts first on Morning Wire.
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John Bickley
I'm Daily Wire editor in chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's January 1st and this is a MORNING WIRE breaking news report.
Georgia Howe
This event started at about 3:15. It did involve a man driving a pickup truck down Bourbon street at a very fast pace. And it was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.
Cabot Philipse Kabitz
Tragic news to start the year. At least 10 people are dead and dozens more are injured after a man drove a pickup truck through a New Orleans New Year's Eve celebration in what officials are calling a terrorist attack.
John Bickley
Here are the latest developments as Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Philipse Kabitz. So a disturbing story to start the new year, to say the least. More details are emerging by the minute. What do we know so far?
Anne Kirkpatrick
Well, it was around 3:15 early this morning when a man intentionally drove his pickup truck through Bourbon street in New Orleans French Quarter, which was packed with folks celebrating the new year, a prime target for someone if they're trying to inflict as much harm as possible. As he drove, the suspect fired shots out of his window before coming to a stop and exchanging fire with police. The suspect was killed quickly by responding officers, but not before he had killed 10 people and injured at least 35 others, including two officers who were hit with gunfire. Video captured at the scene shows the absolute carnage with first responders and good Samaritans performing CPR on victims as stunned partygoers witnessed the scene in shock. Here's New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick.
Georgia Howe
He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did because of the nature and the indices that we have on the scene. And we have a enough information that the FBI will be taking over this investigation.
Anne Kirkpatrick
And we're now learning that the horrifying attack could have been even worse. Once the suspect was taken down, law enforcement began sweeping the surrounding area. And according to multiple FBI sources, at least two potential explosive devices were found and safely detonated. Officers also found a separate large ice chest in the truck with a number of explosive devices which had not yet gone off.
John Bickley
So lives appear to have been saved by officers. Swift action here, thankfully, yes, this is all developing rapidly, of course, but what have we learned at this point about the suspect?
Anne Kirkpatrick
Well, according to Nolan News, the terrorist has been identified as 42 year old Shamsu Din Jabbar, an American from Texas. Authorities say he was wearing full military gear at the time of the attack and was carrying a black ISIS flag in his truck. So early reports do seem to indicate ties to radical Islam. In the hours after the attack, law enforcement also responded to a residential fire at a New Orleans Airbnb. It's there that they believe the suspect had been staying. It's unclear at the moment if that fire was intended to destroy evidence or could have been set off by an explosive device. Authorities say they're now working to find out if Jabbar was working alone or had accomplices. Specifically, they're looking into the rental truck used in the attack and if someone else rented it on his behalf. To that point, Fox News is reporting that authorities believe there are, quote, four or five other suspects involved in the attack. President Trump responded to the incident Wednesday morning, writing on Truth Social, quote, our hearts are with all of the incident victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump administration will fully support the city of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil. This is obviously developing stories. We'll have more updates in the hours and days to come.
John Bickley
Indeed. Meanwhile, our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.
Anne Kirkpatrick
Anytime.
John Bickley
And again, we'll have more on this story as more details emerge.
Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: BREAKING: New Orleans Terrorist Attack | 1.1.25
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Host: John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Reporter: Cabot Philipse Kabitz
Interviewee: Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Commissioner
In the inaugural episode of "Morning Wire," hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe break the tragic news of a terrorist attack that occurred on New Year's Day in New Orleans. The episode delves into the harrowing details of the attack, ongoing investigations, and the broader implications for national security.
At approximately 3:15 AM ([00:10]), a man deliberately drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, targeting the bustling New Year's Eve celebrations. Georgia Howe describes the attack as "very intentional behavior" aimed at causing maximum casualties by running over as many people as possible.
Cabot Philipse Kabitz, Daily Wire's senior editor, reports:
"At least 10 people are dead and dozens more are injured after a man drove a pickup truck through a New Orleans New Year's Eve celebration in what officials are calling a terrorist attack." ([00:30])
New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick provides a detailed account:
"It was around 3:15 early this morning when a man intentionally drove his pickup truck through Bourbon street... As he drove, the suspect fired shots out of his window before coming to a stop and exchanging fire with police. The suspect was killed quickly by responding officers, but not before he had killed 10 people and injured at least 35 others, including two officers who were hit with gunfire." ([00:53])
Following the attack, authorities quickly mobilized to mitigate further harm. Georgia Howe emphasizes the severity of the incident and the anticipated FBI involvement:
"He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did... the FBI will be taking over this investigation." ([01:37])
Commissioner Kirkpatrick reveals critical findings:
"We're now learning that the horrifying attack could have been even worse. According to multiple FBI sources, at least two potential explosive devices were found and safely detonated. Officers also found a separate large ice chest in the truck with a number of explosive devices which had not yet gone off." ([01:56])
Further investigation identified the suspect as Shamsu Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old American from Texas. Kirkpatrick notes:
"Authorities say he was wearing full military gear at the time of the attack and was carrying a black ISIS flag in his truck. So early reports do seem to indicate ties to radical Islam." ([02:27])
Additional developments include a residential fire at an Airbnb where Jabbar had been staying, raising questions about potential evidence destruction or additional explosive devices. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of accomplices, with reports from Fox News suggesting "four or five other suspects involved in the attack." ([02:27])
The swift action of law enforcement not only neutralized the immediate threat but also potentially prevented further casualties by discovering and safely detonating additional explosive devices. John Bickley commends the officers' rapid response:
"So lives appear to have been saved by officers. Swift action here, thankfully." ([02:18])
President Donald Trump addressed the nation via Truth Social, expressing solidarity and support:
"Our hearts are with all of the incident victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump administration will fully support the city of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil." ([02:27])
John Bickley extends his condolences to the victims and their families, underscoring the gravity of the situation:
"Meanwhile, our prayers go out to all the victims and their families." ([03:41])
The Morning Wire team commits to providing ongoing coverage as the investigation unfolds, ensuring listeners remain informed about this developing story.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the "Morning Wire" episode, providing listeners who missed the broadcast with a clear and detailed understanding of the New Orleans terrorist attack, the response from authorities, and the ongoing investigations.