Louisiana lawmakers condemn 'evil' New Orleans New Year's attack

Louisiana lawmakers on Wednesday condemned the “evil” driving attack in New Orleans, in which a truck plowed through the crowds on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. 

Ten people were killed and dozens more were injured in the incident that federal law enforcement is investigating as an “act of terrorism.” The driver, who has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police.  

“2025 quickly took a tragic turn in New Orleans,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) wrote on the social platform X. “Instead of waking up to a Happy New Year, we are grieving the loss of innocent lives and praying for all those who have been injured.”  

“Our city, state, and country are hurting,” he continued. “I want to thank our law enforcement officers who ran towards danger to protect lives. May our collective New Year’s resolution be to spread love in the face of evil.” 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) denounced the attack as “an act of pure evil” and said that “justice must be swift for anyone who was involved.” 

The FBI is investigating whether Jabbar had any associations or affiliations with terrorist organizations after an ISIS flag was found in his car along with a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) and weapons. More potential IEDs were located in the French Quarter. 

The agency said they do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are looking to identify any possible associates.

“Let’s be clear: We will not rest until everyone involved in this terrorist attack is brought to justice. New Orleans is resilient—and we will not cower to this evil,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said on X. 

“Please join me in praying for the victims and their families, as well as our first responders, in the wake of this horrific act of violence on Bourbon Street,” he added in a separate post. 

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) described the attack as “objective evil” at a press conference alongside law enforcement and state officials Wednesday afternoon. 

“I wish I understood better why bad things happen to good people. If I make it to heaven, I’m going to ask,” he said. “For those people who don’t believe in objective evil, all you have to do is look at what happened in our city early this morning.”