New Orleans inching back to life while mourning victims of terror rampage

New Orleans is slowly regaining its vibrancy after a deadly New Year’s Eve attack left 14 people dead and over 30 injured on Bourbon Street.

The city’s famed music, football fans, and street performers returned, even as it mourns the victims of the horrific assault by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran who plowed a pickup truck into revelers in a rampage inspired by the Islamic State (IS). Jabbar was fatally shot by police after his truck smashed through barricades into a crowded celebration.

A City in Mourning

Authorities worked swiftly to clear the scene, removing the last bodies Thursday morning, and Bourbon Street reopened to visitors by early afternoon. Flowers and candles now mark makeshift memorials for the victims, while performers and residents are determined to reclaim their city’s lively spirit.

Trombone player Jonas Green, a lifelong New Orleans resident, said his band’s presence on the block where the attack occurred was about healing. “This music heals,” he shared. “We have to keep going.”

The attack, which also included crude bombs that were neutralized by authorities, has been described as the deadliest IS-inspired assault in the U.S. in years. Victims ranged from an aspiring 18-year-old nurse to a former Princeton football star.

Federal Investigation Unfolds

The FBI confirmed Jabbar acted alone in planning the attack. Hours before the incident, the 42-year-old Texas native posted videos pledging allegiance to IS and previewing the violence he planned to unleash. A black IS flag was later found in his rented pickup truck.

Officials are probing Jabbar’s path to radicalization, which reportedly began after his Army service and included travels to Egypt and Canada in 2023. Investigators are also reviewing his chilling Facebook videos, where he expressed concerns about headlines overshadowing the “war between believers and disbelievers.”

Jabbar’s brother, Abdur-Rahim, expressed disbelief, describing his sibling as isolated but showing no apparent signs of extremism. “It doesn’t feel real,” he said. “This isn’t like him.”

Bourbon Street Balances Resilience and Grief

The attack cast a shadow over the city’s celebrations, prompting security measures like states of emergency declared by governors across the region. Even so, New Orleans is pressing forward. The postponed Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia took place Thursday night, and the city plans to kick off Mardi Gras season with the Joan of Arc parade on Monday.

While the French Quarter buzzes with music and tourists once again, the pain of the tragedy lingers. “It feels strange,” said Mark Tabor, a manager on Bourbon Street. “They cleaned up, but it’s like everything’s forgotten. It’s sad.”

President Joe Biden is set to visit New Orleans next week to meet with victims’ families and support the community as it navigates this heartbreaking chapter. As New Orleans faces this tragedy, its resilience and enduring spirit remain a beacon of hope.