During New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans, America, a tragic incident was reported where a pickup van rampaged over people gathered on Bourbon Street to celebrate the New Year. The incident took place at 3 a.m., where a speeding pickup truck started trampling people. So far, 15 people have died in the incident, and many others are injured, including two police officers who were wounded by gunfire from the suspect. Meanwhile, a claim is going viral on social media alleging that the attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was an Indian American. It further alleged that initial reports say the man was heard shouting “Jai Shri Ram” and exploding his car, killing 10 people and injuring 35.
The X handle @/QueenBangla wrote, “An Indian American man drove a car into a crowd in New Orleans, USA on New Year. Initial reports say that the man was heard shouting “jai shri ram” and exploding his car, killing 10 people and injuring 35. The terrorist also exchanged gunfire with law enforcement and was killed.” (Archived link)
An #Indian American man drove a car into a crowd in New Orleans, USA on #NewYear
— ফারিয়াল (@QueenBangla) January 1, 2025
Initial reports say that the man was heard shouting "jai shri ram" and exploding his car, kîlling 10 people and injuring 35. The terrorist also exchanged gunfire with law enforcement and was killed. pic.twitter.com/zPo1HGK4I3
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Fact Check
We began our fact-checking by reviewing relevant information about the incident. A CBS News article published on January 2, 2024, reported that a man deliberately drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans French Quarter early on New Year’s Day. The attack resulted in at least 15 fatalities and dozens of injuries. Officials confirmed that a black ISIS flag was displayed on the truck, and the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism by the FBI.
The CBS News report further identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas. According to the FBI, Jabbar had posted videos on social media just hours before the attack, expressing support for ISIS and a desire to kill. In a televised statement, President Biden confirmed these findings. The FBI’s investigation, led by Special Agent Alethea Duncan, revealed that Jabbar may have had accomplices, and they are actively exploring potential ties to terrorist organizations.
Additionally, a press release from the FBI, dated January 1, 2025, provided more details. The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. CST. After driving into the crowd, Jabbar exited the vehicle and fired at law enforcement officers, who returned fire, killing him at the scene. Two officers were injured during the exchange. The FBI found weapons, a potential IED, and an ISIS flag in Jabbar’s rented Ford pickup truck. Further IEDs were discovered in the French Quarter, and investigations are ongoing to determine his affiliations.
Moreover, an article by Business Standard added that Jabbar was an Army veteran from Texas and that the FBI is investigating his connections to terrorist groups.
Furthermore, according to Aaj Tak’s report, following the confusion over the attacker’s identity, the US government clarified that Shamsuddin Jabbar was an American citizen. The Economic Times reported that Jabbar had said in a video that he was born and raised in Texas.
The media advisory issued by the FBI also confirms that Shamsuddin Jabbar was a U.S. citizen from Texas.
The New York Times reported that in an interview, Jabbar’s brother Abdur Jabbar said that they grew up in a Christian family and that Jabbar had converted to Islam long ago. Dwayne Marsh, who is the husband of Jabbar’s ex-wife, said that Jabbar’s behavior became erratic after he converted to Islam.
In conclusion, the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, which resulted in 15 deaths, was carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran. The attacker has no connection whatsoever to India.
| Claim | New Orleans attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar was an Indian American and chanted “Jai Shree Ram” while carrying out the attack. |
| Claimed by | Social media user |
| Fact Check | The claim that the New Orleans attacker was Indian is false. According to available information, he was a U.S. citizen, born and raised in Texas. |
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