Body camera footage released on Friday shows New Orleans terrorist attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar firing at police from inside his vehicle before officers shot back and killed him.
Why It Matters
The FBI is investigating the incident that occurred on Bourbon Street during New Year's celebrations as an act of terrorism. A key line of inquiry is whether the attack was orchestrated or inspired by a foreign terrorist group.
What To Know
Jabbar drove his white F-150 past a police barricade blocking the entrance to Bourbon Street, New Orleans' iconic thoroughfare, and plowed into a crowd of revelers around 3:15 a.m. on New Year's Day, leaving 14 dead and dozens injured.
Bodycam footage from Officer Luis Robles that was released by the New Orleans Police Department shows the moments after the truck crashes. Officer Christian Beyer is standing by the open driver's side door with his gun raised, and Officer Jacobie Jordan is also seen positioned near the driver's side, similarly holding his weapon, according to officials.
Sergeant Mike Guasco of the Public Integrity Bureau's Force Investigation Team, which reviews all police shootings, said Beyer identified himself and instructed Jabbar to exit the truck.
Jabbar fired from behind an airbag at close range with the muzzle flash clearly visible. The body cam video shows Robles and at least two other officers turning and running a few steps before diving to the ground as a series of gunshots echoed.
Officers Beyer and Jordan both discharged their weapons during the incident, according to Guasco. A third officer, Sergeant Nigel Daggs, who was positioned near the truck's front passenger door but not visible in the bodycam footage, also opened fire.
Police have not disclosed how many shots Jabbar fired, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation. However, the department emphasized that the officers involved adhered to protocol and have been cleared to return to full duty.
Officers Involved
The officers who opened fire on Jabbar were identified as Sergeant Nigel Daggs, a 21-year veteran of the department, and Officers Beyer and Jordan, both with nearly two years of service, police officials said. Officer Jordan and Joseph Rodrigue, a nine-year veteran who did not discharge his weapon, sustained thigh wounds with Rodrigue also suffering a fractured shoulder. Officials declined to comment on whether any injuries to officers or bystanders resulted from friendly fire.
What People Are Saying
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a news conference: "They killed the terrorist...They are national heroes."
"Officers are trained for shoot scenarios like that—they're highly trained, and that's what you saw. These are split-second decisions," Kirkpatrick said. "All officers are faced with 'shoot, don't shoot.' And this was clearly within the law and clearly, solidly within policy."
What's Next
During the press conference, Kirkpatrick noted that police are likely to release more videos from the body camera footage.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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