January 5th 2025.
The city of New Orleans was filled with a mix of emotions on Saturday evening as they remembered the tragic event that took place on Bourbon Street just a few days prior. A man had deliberately driven his pickup truck into a crowd of people who were gathering to celebrate the new year. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow and grief, but also a sense of defiance and resilience as the community came together to honor the victims.
As people gathered along the famous street, they were met with a makeshift memorial of crosses, pictures, and mementos left in honor of the 14 people who lost their lives. Candles, flowers, and teddy bears adorned the memorial, and many family members of the victims clung to each other for support. The pain and heartache were evident, but as a brass band began to play, the mood shifted and the crowd began to sway and snap their fingers to the music.
The coroner's report had listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as "blunt force injuries," and around 30 others were injured in the attack. Thirteen people remained hospitalized, with eight in intensive care, according to a spokesperson from University Medical Center New Orleans. The perpetrator, a former U.S. Army soldier named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had been shot and killed by police at the scene of the crash.
For many, the vigil was a way to honor the victims and show their support for the grieving families. Cathy Tenedorio, who lost her son Matthew, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from the community. Autrele Felix, a friend of one of the victims, left a handwritten card at the memorial and spoke of the city's unity in times of tragedy.
Some of those in attendance acknowledged that the best way to honor the victims was to continue the celebration that they had come to be a part of. Kari Mitten, a life-long resident of New Orleans, stated, "They were having a good time, that's what they were down here to do. We should keep that spirit alive."
The city was not alone in their mourning and healing process. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden planned to visit New Orleans on Monday to offer their condolences and support to the families and community affected by the attack. Meanwhile, authorities continued to investigate the incident and the motives of the perpetrator. It was later determined that Jabbar had acted alone and had proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos prior to the attack.
As the investigation continued, it was revealed that Jabbar had reserved the truck used in the attack over six weeks in advance and had bomb-making materials in his Houston home. Crude bombs were also found in the neighborhood of the attack, and Jabbar had purchased a cooler and gun oil just hours before the incident.
The city of New Orleans had increased security measures in response to the attack, with multiple vehicles and barricades blocking traffic at the scene and law enforcement agencies providing additional support. The first parade of the Carnival season was scheduled for the following day, and the city was also preparing to host the Super Bowl in the coming weeks.
While the city mourned and tried to make sense of the senseless tragedy, they also looked towards the future and finding ways to prevent such events from happening again. The city had previously installed steel columns to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street, but they had been rendered unreliable due to Mardi Gras festivities. However, they were planning to replace them before the Super Bowl.
As the victims were identified and their stories shared, the community continued to come together to honor and remember them. Among the victims were a single mother, a father of two, and a former Princeton University football star. The youngest victim was just 18 years old, and the oldest was 63. One victim, Edward Pettifer, was a British citizen and the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who had been the nanny for Prince William and Prince Harry.
The vigil on Saturday evening was a powerful display of the city's resilience and strength in the face of tragedy. As the community mourned, they also found comfort and support in one another, showing that even in the darkest of times, the spirit of New Orleans would continue to shine bright.
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