New Orleans Archdiocese Mourns After Deadly Hit-and-Run
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Big Easy is mourning the loss of 15 lives after a suspected terrorist act on Saturday night. A black, maroon, or red pickup truck plowed into a crowd on Jefferson Davis Parkway, near the tragic scene of a 2017 parade tragedy.
A graphic video circulating social media shows panicked bystanders rushing to the aid of victims sprawled on the street. The incident, occurring around 6:30 PM, marked a grim reminder of a 2017 Mardi Gras parade tragedy that claimed the lives of 29, injuring dozens more.
The suspect, later identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, has been taken into custody. Authorities confirmed the act was an act of terrorism, with Jabbar deemed "insistent" on committing the massacre.
Jabbar, a Willie B. Kennedy High graduate, was stopped by a witness who held him until police arrived. The suspect had no known prior criminal record, stunned neighbors who knew him as a "regular guy."
The victims’ identities remain unreleased, with several in critical condition. The incident left the community reeling, with New Orleans ArchbishopGregory Aymond expressing "deep sadness and shock."
"This is a time for Catholics, Christians, and all people of goodwill to come together to pray for the victims and their families, and also to pray for the perpetrator," Aymond said.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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