Everything I Know About The NYD Terror Attacks

The New Orleans Attack

• Location and Time: Bourbon Street, approximately 3:15 AM on January 1, 2025.

• Suspect: Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas.

• Details of the Attack: Jabbar drove a rented Ford F-150 pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 fatalities and at least 35 injuries. After crashing, he exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with police, during which he was fatally shot. An ISIS flag was found on his vehicle, and authorities are investigating his potential connections to terrorist organizations. 

• Preventative Measures: Reports indicate that the city was in the process of replacing old street bollards with new ones, leaving some areas inadequately protected. Temporary barriers were in place but proved insufficient to prevent the attack. 

The Las Vegas Bombing

• Location and Time: Trump International Hotel and Casino, approximately 8:40 AM on January 1, 2025.

• Suspect: Matthew Livelsberger, identified as a U.S. Army veteran.

• Details of the Attack: Livelsberger drove a rented Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel, which exploded outside the hotel. The blast resulted in his death and injuries to seven others. The Cybertruck’s design reportedly directed the blast upwards, mitigating potential damage. 

3. Connections Between the Attacks

• Investigations: Both suspects were U.S. Army veterans and rented their vehicles through the Turo app. Authorities initially explored potential links between the two incidents, given these similarities. However, the FBI later stated that there is “no definitive link” between the two attacks. 

4. Political and Social Implications

• Government Response: President Joe Biden addressed the nation, condemning the attacks and pledging thorough investigations. President-elect Donald Trump also condemned the acts and offered support for the investigation and recovery. 

• Security Measures: These incidents have prompted discussions on national security, veterans’ mental health, and the effectiveness of current preventative measures against such attacks.

The Perpetrators

• Both individuals were military veterans with seemingly stable lives, which challenges common stereotypes about radicalized attackers. Their backgrounds underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors leading to such acts of violence.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Introduction and Overview of New Year’s Attacks

(00:01:11) Details of the New Orleans Tragedy

(00:06:16) The Las Vegas Bombing Unfolds

(00:09:17) Investigative Challenges and Connections

(00:12:09) Political Fallout and National Security Response

(00:14:43) Closing Reflections