Police identified 42-year-old US Army veteran Shamsud Din Jabbar as the attacker behind the vehicle ramming that took place during the early morning hours on 01 January 2025 in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He was shot and killed by police after engaging in a shootout. He was reportedly wearing body armor and camouflage fatigues. The attack is similar to the vehicle ramming that unfolded in Germany just last month at a Christmas market and may have been inspired by that incident.
Global Guardian's December Risk Barometer highlighted the increased risk to Christmas markets, religious gatherings, and other large public events over the holiday season as individuals or groups see them as an opportunity to conduct symbolically valuable attacks. This New Year's celebration attack is a tragic reminder of this risk.