New Orleans Attack, Cybertruck Explosion Raise US Security Fears

A gruesome attack on revelers celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans thrust US domestic security back into the spotlight less than a month before Donald Trump is sworn in as president.

The tragedy, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more, set off panic in the historic French Quarter and postponed events, including a major football game. Hours later, a deadly explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside of President-elect Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas further rattled Americans ringing in 2025. 

The incidents, which are both being probed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, prompted statements from Trump, President Joe Biden and other senior US officials. Elon Musk also weighed in, saying without offering evidence that the Cybertruck explosion appeared likely to be terrorism and that it could be linked to the New Orleans attack. 

Trump, who is set to be sworn in on Jan. 20, has often blamed undocumented immigrants for crime in the US. The suspect in Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans was an American and served in the Army.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday evening, Biden offered condolences to victims’ families and said authorities were probing if there were any links between the incidents.

“The situation is very fluid,” Biden said, adding that the suspect in the New Orleans attack posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS. “The law enforcement intelligence community continue to look for any connections, associations, or co-conspirators.”

As authorities combed through the macabre scene on Wednesday in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, they said they discovered an ISIS flag with the pickup truck that barreled through the crowd. 

Two improvised explosive devices were found in the suspect’s vehicle, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the developments who asked not to be identified. Additional potential IED’s were also found in the city’s French Quarter neighborhood, the FBI said.

The FBI also warned that the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, may not have acted alone. Officials said the 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas was killed at the scene.

By Wednesday afternoon, the FBI’s investigation had expanded to Houston and authorities were asking people for help with any leads. Officials said they’re working to determine any potential associations or affiliations Jabbar may have had with terrorist groups.

“We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” Alethea Duncan, an FBI assistant special agent in charge in New Orleans, told reporters at a press conference. “We’re aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates. That’s why we need the public’s help.”

New Orleans is renowned for its New Year’s celebrations, which draw thousands to the bar-lined French Quarter each year, with live music and fireworks. The city had been set to host college football’s Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome on Wednesday with a parade through the French Quarter. It was postponed until Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the Las Vegas incident, police said a Cybertruck pulled up to the entrance of the Trump Las Vegas hotel and that smoke appeared from the vehicle before a large explosion. Authorities have said the driver is dead and there are seven with minor injuries. 

Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. and a close Trump ally, said in a social media post that the company “confirmed” that the Cybertruck explosion was “caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed” and was “unrelated to the vehicle itself.”

He suggested the incident could be linked to the attack in New Orleans, adding that the Cybertruck explosion appeared “likely to be an act of terrorism.”