A man intentionally rammed a pickup truck into a crowd during a New Year's Day celebration in New Orleans, killing 10 people---including an 18-year-old teen from Mississippi.
The teen, identified as Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, had recently graduated high school and had only snuck away to attend the New Year celebration on Bourbon Street with her cousin and friend when the attack happened.
Speaking with NOLA.com, Dedeaux's mother, Melissa, said the 18-year-old suffered grave injuries after running into the path of the truck in a panic after gunshots rang out. Police have yet to confirm her death, but Melissa said her niece had told her that they had already laid a blanket over the teen.
"I didn't even know she came over here," she said. "I just want to see my baby."
Details About the Attack
The suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas Shamsud-Din Jabbar, rammed a pickup truck into the crown on New Orleans' Bourbon Street early in the morning on New Year's Day. The incident happened just hours before the city was set to host The Sugar Bowl.
After driving into the crowd, Jabbar allegedly opened fire on responding officers. He was later shot and killed.
Officials for the Federal Bureau of Investigation said they are investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism, noting that the suspect was flying a black ISIS flag. They also found a "potential" improvised explosive in the truck.
Furthermore, the FBI said they located other potential explosive devices "in the French Quarter." They are now looking into whether the attacker might have had accomplices and whether he had any connections with terrorist organizations.
Federal agents have already spoken to Jabbar's former wife. Her new husband, Dwayne Marsh, noted that Jabbar had converted to Islam and was acting "all crazy" within the last year, as reported by The New York Times.
Sugar Bowl Postponed
Following the attack, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley announced that they were postponing the game to Thursday to ensure public safety.
Officers are expected to be on guard in the area around the Superdome where the games will be held Thursday to search for any suspicious items. Bomb dogs will also be placed around the Superdome area.
