By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The driver of the truck who plowed into New Year's Day revelers had pledged support to the so-called Islamic State, the same group the Pulse nightclub shooter had claimed was his inspiration.
New Orleans is still grieving after a terrorist attack on January 1 left 14 people dead with scores injured. Many of those killed were only publicly identified over the last couple of days. The violence shut down nightlife on Bourbon Street, including gay bars in the heart of the French Quarter.
Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.
Police say Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas, drove a rented pickup truck into the crowd on the famous street at around 3 a.m. Central Time. The FBI said Jabbar on social media videos uploaded while en route to Bourbon Street had proclaimed support for ISIS, the so-called Islamic State, and also had an ISIS flag in the vehicle. That’s the same terrorist group that Omar Mateen, the shooter who killed 49 at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando in 2016, claimed as his inspiration.
Authorities shot and killed Jabbar after a standoff.
Three gay bars — Bourbon Pub & Parade, Napoleon’s Itch and Oz — operate at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets, just a block from where authorities found a homemade pipe bomb, according to The Times-Picayune. That explosive device was one of two found around the Bourbon Street area a short distance from where Jabbar drove the truck into the crowd. Authorities said that Jabbar placed the explosives, according to ABC News.
The active investigation following the attack shut down all business on Bourbon Street. Some gay bars canceled planned events. In a statement posted on Instagram, management for the Bourbon Pub & Parade announced that its Leather & Lace event scheduled for over the weekend would not take place.
“Grieving and healing should take precedence right now,” reads a statement from Brooke and Yesso. “The safety and concern within our community and city is of the utmost importance. Thank you for all of our performers, DJ and management for working with us and understanding this decision.”
One gay bar, Napoleon’s Itch, announced it would permanently close.
“We are very grateful for your continued support over the last 23 years,” reads a message on the bar’sFacebook attributed to owner-operator Ron Julian. “It has been a pleasure serving you and making so many lifelong friendships over the years.”
While it did not directly reference the attack, the message went up less than 12 hours after the attack on Bourbon Street blocks from the bar.
Beyond Bourbon Street, some bars actually saw a morbid lift from business pausing in the famed district. Drew Kingswell, a bartender at the Golden Lantern on Royal Street told The Advocate, “We did pretty decent business.”
Business owners at affected establishments posted updates on social media condemning the violent attack.
“Our hearts go out to all of the victims and their families,” reads a message posted on Oz’s Instagram.
Bourbon Pub & Parade went ahead with a regular karaoke night on January 2, posting video on Instagram from inside the bar. “The show must go on,” a post with the video reads. “Holding space for joy in the midst of this tragedy. They will NOT break our spirit.”
