Following the tragic New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, President Joe Biden gave a heartfelt speech before the postponed Sugar Bowl, addressing the recent devastating event in the city.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, New Orleans was struck by a tragic attack that left the city devastated.
Reportedly, a man named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army Veteran, drove a pickup truck, a rented Ford F-150 Lightning, into a crowd on Bourbon Street.
Jabbar’s reckless driving resulted in the loss of 15 lives and left dozens injured.
According to reports, Shamsud-Din Jabbar was inspired by ISIS and posted videos online expressing his support for the group before the attack.
Eventually, the FBI confirmed that the attacker, Jabbar, acted alone, inspired by ISIS.
The heartwrenching attack postponed the Sugar Bowl, featuring the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, for around 20 hours.
Among the victims were an 18-year-old aspiring nurse, a former college football player, a single mother, and a father of two.
Likewise, All-Ivy Princeton football player Tiger Bech also lost his life in the recent New Orleans tragedy.
“The Spirit of Our New Orleans Will Never, Never, Never Be Defeated. It Always Will Shine Forth, “Joe Biden Said, Addressing the New Orleans Tragedy!
On Thursday, President Joe Biden made a virtual appearance at the postponed Sugar Bowl, an annual American college football game in New Orleans.
Biden addressed the nation, expressing his condolences for the ones who lost their lives and their families, saying:
After a despicable attack that occurred in the early morning hours to all the families of those who were killed to all those who are injured to all the people of New Orleans who are grieving today, I want you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you.
The spirit of New Orleans can never be kept down. That’s also true of the spirit of America. We just have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America.
He also offered words of inspiration amid the ordeal, saying:
I know while this person committed a terrible assault on the city, the spirit of our New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated. It always will shine forth. We’ve seen that time and time again throughout its history, and I know we’ll see it again in the days and weeks ahead.
The President also praised the bravery of first responders at the scene, “I want to thank our brave first responders and law enforcement personnel who stopped the attacker in his tracks before he could kill or injured even more people.”
Likewise, Biden urged the public not to jump to conclusions as the investigation continues.
I have directed my attorney general, the FBI director, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the head of the National Counter Terrorism Center, and the intelligence community to work on this intensively until we have full and complete information.
“Once we have that information, I will share the information as soon as we can confirm it,” Biden added, vowing to keep the public updated about the tragedy.
The postponed game included a moment of silence to honor the victims. Similarly, there was a heavy police presence at the stadium.
The attack unfolded around 3:15 AM as people celebrated the new year’s arrival. That’s when Jabbar’s vehicle recklessly ran into the crowd.
Meanwhile, the video of the ordeal is making significant rounds online.
Jabbar was armed and fired at law enforcement officers, injuring two. Thankfully, the tragic event didn’t take a grand turn than this with the loss of more lives as police shot and killed him.
The tragic incident was a bad start to the new year. The aftermath of the attack has left the community in shock and mourning.
Meanwhile, as New Orleans is processing the tragedy, Biden gave a glimmer of hope amid the ordeal, saying:
We will support the people of New Orleans as they began the hard work of healing. New Orleans isn’t a place unlike any other place in the world. It’s a city full of charm and joy. So many people around the world love New Orleans because of its history, culture, and above all its people.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Matthew Tenedorio, who was among those killed, was a valued member of the New Orleans Saints video production team.
- Kareem Badawi, who lost his life in the New Orleans incident, was a student at the University of Alabama.
- Drew Dauphin, a 2023 graduate of Auburn University, was among those killed in the New Orleans attack.
