The tragic New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans has drawn scrutiny after it was revealed that security barriers on Bourbon Street were removed weeks prior as part of a city renovation project. The decision, aimed at installing new barriers ahead of the Super Bowl in February, left gaps in security that attackers exploited.
The attack, carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, claimed the lives of at least 14 people. Jabbar, who had converted to Islam years earlier, rammed a pickup truck into a crowd at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets before being killed in a shootout with police.
Nobody. https://t.co/viDiSnhZko
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) January 2, 2025
New Orleans’ Finest
“we put up a barrier but would you believe the terrorist went around it ?” Same group “it’s not a terrorist attack although we found IEDs and isis flags” Same group “Go out and enjoy your day”. 3 hours later then find 3 unexploded devices and 1 exploded pic.twitter.com/3fNPsUFztM
— MontanaMan (@RyplCO) January 2, 2025
The New Orleans Police Superintendent said she didn’t know about the city’s sidewalk barrier defense against terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/BXWtDhYwxK
— SchultzX99 (@SchultzX99) January 3, 2025
The bollard system originally installed in 2017 was designed to prevent vehicular attacks, but malfunctions, including clogging from Mardi Gras beads, prompted the city to replace them. During the renovation, temporary barriers and police vehicles were used as substitutes, but Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick admitted they were insufficient. “We did indeed have a plan, but the terrorist defeated it,” Kirkpatrick said.
"New Orleans had access to effective anti-vehicle barriers ahead of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s Eve revelers that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more, but the city did not deploy those barriers until a day after the carnage.”
https://t.co/P7U4nx0zyZ— David Shellenberger (@DEShellenberger) January 3, 2025
A Chicago alderman is calling for new barrier requirements for all street fairs and festivals in the city, in the wake of the deadly New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans and the attack at a German Christmas market earlier this month. https://t.co/FQqstLPKeg
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) January 2, 2025
Our church, in a small safe Republican town, installed cement barriers 10 years ago to prevent anyone from driving into parishioners going into the church. New Orleans can't keep people safe? @Democrat Must be voted out of office
— Nikias_Devrim (@NikiasDevrim) January 3, 2025
Witnesses expressed concern over the absence of the barriers during one of the busiest nights of the year in New Orleans. One attendee noted, “They weren’t up, so you still kind of had to watch your back for cars.”
🚨BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Terror Attack Tragedy Inspires ABC, Guardian to Demand Sidewalk Barrier Equality
In a stunning display of investigative bravery, the ABC and The Guardian have bravely pivoted from covering the gruesome New Orleans truck attack to a pressing question:… pic.twitter.com/ZM3qS5o8Ql
— mdtlion (@mdtlion) January 2, 2025
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), whose district includes much of New Orleans, criticized the failure to secure the area, suggesting that additional vehicles could have blocked the attack. “Terrorists study and find the weakest point,” Carter said in an interview with ABC News. “We must work to close every point.”
Despite the tragedy, New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno downplayed the role of the barriers, stating the attacker would have found another way to harm crowds. However, the incident has raised questions about the city’s preparedness and the timing of the renovation project.
Officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and assess whether stronger security measures could have mitigated its devastating impact.
