Police bodycam footage released on Friday revealed the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting of an Islamic State group-inspired attacker in New Orleans. The attacker, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove his white F-150 truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens on New Year's Day.
After crashing his vehicle, Jabbar fired shots at police officers from inside the truck. Officers on the scene, including Christian Beyer, Jacobie Jordan, and Nigel Daggs, responded by returning fire. The officers' quick actions were commended by New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, who referred to them as national heroes.
The bodycam footage captured the intense moment when officers engaged with Jabbar, who fired shots from close range. The officers, trained to make split-second decisions in high-pressure situations, acted swiftly to neutralize the threat.
Despite sustaining injuries during the incident, the officers involved followed protocol and have been cleared to return to full duty. Kirkpatrick emphasized that the officers' actions were within the law and department policy.
An ongoing investigation, including an FBI inquiry, is underway to further examine the events leading up to the shooting. Kirkpatrick stated that additional bodycam footage may be released as the investigation progresses.
Questions regarding the security measures in place at the time of the attack and the number of officers present remain unanswered due to the pending investigations. Victims of the attack have filed a lawsuit against the city and its contractors, alleging a failure to implement adequate security measures.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to provide a comprehensive understanding of the incident and ensure transparency in the release of information to the public.
