Weeks before a deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans, protective barriers on Bourbon Street were removed as part of a renovation project, leaving the area vulnerable to vehicular threats. The barriers were scheduled to be replaced ahead of the Super Bowl in February.
Nobody. https://t.co/viDiSnhZko
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) January 2, 2025
New Orleans’ Finest
“we put up a barrier but would you believe the terrorist went around it ?” Same group “it’s not a terrorist attack although we found IEDs and isis flags” Same group “Go out and enjoy your day”. 3 hours later then find 3 unexploded devices and 1 exploded pic.twitter.com/3fNPsUFztM
— MontanaMan (@RyplCO) January 2, 2025
The attack, which killed 14 people, was carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Houston native who had converted to Islam. Jabbar used a pickup truck to target crowds at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets before being killed in a police shootout.
The New Orleans Police Superintendent said she didn’t know about the city’s sidewalk barrier defense against terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/BXWtDhYwxK
— SchultzX99 (@SchultzX99) January 3, 2025
"New Orleans had access to effective anti-vehicle barriers ahead of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s Eve revelers that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more, but the city did not deploy those barriers until a day after the carnage.”
https://t.co/P7U4nx0zyZ— David Shellenberger (@DEShellenberger) January 3, 2025
The original bollard system, installed in 2017, was intended to prevent such incidents. However, mechanical failures and damage prompted the city to remove the barriers in November for upgrades. Temporary measures, including police vehicles, were put in place but failed to stop the attacker.
A Chicago alderman is calling for new barrier requirements for all street fairs and festivals in the city, in the wake of the deadly New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans and the attack at a German Christmas market earlier this month. https://t.co/FQqstLPKeg
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) January 2, 2025
Our church, in a small safe Republican town, installed cement barriers 10 years ago to prevent anyone from driving into parishioners going into the church. New Orleans can't keep people safe? @Democrat Must be voted out of office
— Nikias_Devrim (@NikiasDevrim) January 3, 2025
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick defended the city’s efforts but admitted the plan was insufficient. “We did indeed have a plan, but the terrorist defeated it,” she said. Witnesses questioned the absence of barriers during the high-traffic holiday.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Terror Attack Tragedy Inspires ABC, Guardian to Demand Sidewalk Barrier Equality
In a stunning display of investigative bravery, the ABC and The Guardian have bravely pivoted from covering the gruesome New Orleans truck attack to a pressing question:… pic.twitter.com/ZM3qS5o8Ql
— mdtlion (@mdtlion) January 2, 2025
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) called for additional measures, such as more blocking vehicles, to prevent similar incidents. “Terrorists study and find weak points. It’s our job to close every one of them,” Carter said.
The attack has raised concerns about the city’s timing of renovations and the potential risks created by leaving vulnerable areas unprotected during busy events.
