New Orleans Massacre: ISIS-Inspired Terrorist Attack May Have Link to Las Vegas Tesla Bomb

The new year in the United States opens with a very serious terrorist attack that has shaken New Orleans, in the heart of the famous French Quarter, known for jazz and Carnival. An attack that left at least 15 dead and 35 injured, sowing fear and questions. The perpetrator, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, an American citizen of Arab origin and army veteran, reportedly declared himself inspired by ISIS in some videos published before the attack. The tragedy has taken on an even more disturbing significance due to a possible link with the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.

The facts of New Orleans

In the early morning hours of January 1, a white Ford F-150 pickup truck plowed into a crowd celebrating the arrival of the new year at Bourbon and Canal streets. The assailant, after running over dozens of people, opened fire with an assault rifle before being killed by law enforcement. Rudimentary explosive devices, or “pipe bombs,” designed to be detonated remotely by remote control were found in the vehicle. The explosion of such devices could have further exacerbated the already tragic toll.

Preliminary investigations have confirmed the intentionality of the attack. Local police, supported by the FBI, discovered additional homemade bombs in the French Quarter, indicating the possible presence of accomplices. Surveillance cameras in fact recorded three men and a woman planting some of the devices. Authorities do not rule out that Jabbar was part of an organized group.

The profile of the attacker

Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, 42, a resident of Houston, Texas, was a U.S. Army veteran with personal and financial problems, partly related to a divorce. In videos posted on social media, Jabbar claimed he had joined ISIS and was planning to kill. A black flag associated with the terrorist group was visible on the back of his vehicle. While there has been no official claim by ISIS, investigators are looking into whether Jabbar was a lone wolf who radicalized in the United States or had direct connections to the group.

The hypothesis of a connection with Las Vegas

As the investigation into the New Orleans attack continues, suspicions are emerging that it may be linked to the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas a few hours earlier. Both vehicles involved — the F-150 pickup and the Tesla — were rented through the Turo app. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has commented on the possibility of a connection between the two incidents, raising questions about the use of rented vehicles in terrorist attacks. However, investigators have yet to find definitive evidence of a connection.

Reactions

President Joe Biden, who has been constantly updated on developments, strongly condemned the attack, stressing the government's commitment to protecting American communities from all forms of violence. Biden said the attacker was a veteran inspired by ISIS and asked authorities to clarify any complicity or connections to other attacks.

There has also been harsh criticism on the security front. The mechanical steel barricades, installed in 2017 to prevent accidents or similar attacks, were not put up for the New Year's Eve celebrations. The lack of adequate security measures has sparked controversy, with residents and witnesses denouncing the ineffectiveness of the temporary barriers used.