New Orleans Police on Friday released body camera footage revealing the intense exchange of gunfire with the perpetrator of the New Year’s Day attack. The video captures the moment Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the individual responsible for the attack, crashed his white pick-up truck and began firing at the officers. In response, the police returned fire, ultimately resulting in Jabbar being pronounced dead at the scene.
The New Year’s Day attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 14 individuals and left dozens wounded, transpired when Jabbar drove his vehicle into a crowd on a bustling block of Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. local time. The body camera footage from New Orleans Police Department officer Luis Robles vividly shows the confrontation between Jabbar and the officers as shots were exchanged.
In the brief 12-second clip, Officer Robles is seen rushing towards the vehicle while his colleagues approach Jabbar on the driver’s side of the crashed truck. Positioned on either side of the door, officers can be heard shouting at Jabbar to raise his hands, with weapons drawn, before a flash indicates gunfire from Jabbar within the vehicle. Following this ominous sign, the sounds of multiple gunshots fill the air as officers swiftly react, some taking cover while others return fire.
According to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department, three officers were involved in the exchange of gunfire, with Officer Robles, whose body camera captured the incident, abstaining from firing at Jabbar. Tragically, the suspect was declared deceased at the scene, while two officers sustained injuries during the altercation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has disclosed that Jabbar acted alone in what they described as a “premeditated and evil act.” Inside the vehicle driven by Jabbar, authorities found an Islamic State (IS) group flag, further complicating the motives behind the attack.
The grave incident has prompted questions about the victims of the New Orleans attack and the identity of the perpetrator. Additionally, revelations that the attacker was wearing Meta smart glasses have raised further inquiries into his potential technological interactions leading up to the assault.
Following the harrowing events of the New Year’s Day attack, visitors and locals alike have been drawn to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, seeking solace and unity in the aftermath of the tragedy. The community remains shaken by the brazen and violent nature of the assault, as they mourn the lives lost and grapple with the repercussions of such a senseless act of violence.
As investigations continue and details emerge, the New Orleans Police Department, alongside federal authorities such as the FBI, are tirelessly working to uncover the full extent of the events leading up to and following the attack. The body camera footage released by the police serves as a crucial piece of evidence in piecing together the timeline of events and understanding the dynamics of the confrontation between law enforcement and the assailant, shedding light on the brave actions of officers in the face of grave danger.
