The aftermath of the devastating New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans has spurred legal action and investigations into the security failures that allowed the tragedy to unfold. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas resident, plowed a Ford F-150 through the festive crowds, claiming the lives of 14 people and injuring dozens more before being killed in a police shootout. Now, victims and their families are seeking accountability from the city and its responsible parties, alleging negligence and a failure to implement adequate safety measures.
One lawsuit, representing seven victims, targets the City of New Orleans, Hard Rock Construction, and engineering firm Mott MacDonald. The complaint contends that these entities had “years of opportunities” to address known security vulnerabilities, specifically highlighting a report by Mott MacDonald that envisioned a eerily similar scenario involving a Ford F-150 truck turning onto Bourbon Street from Canal Street. The legal action alleges that the defendants failed to fulfill their contractual obligations and implement necessary preventative measures, which could have prevented Jabbar’s access to the crowded street. The lawsuit seeks damages and aims to prevent future tragedies by holding those responsible accountable.
Another lawsuit is anticipated on behalf of at least two dozen additional victims, also targeting the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department. Maples Connick, LLC, a New Orleans law firm, in collaboration with Chicago-based mass disaster law firm Romanucci & Blandin, is conducting a civil investigation into the attack. Their preliminary findings indicate a breach of public trust, alleging that city officials were aware of Bourbon Street’s vulnerability to such an attack. They assert that the failure to address these known risks constitutes a disturbing dereliction of duty, and they are committed to pursuing justice for the victims.
Beyond the civil lawsuits, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is leading an independent review into the potential security lapses that contributed to the attack. Murrill emphasizes the need to understand the complexities of event planning in a city renowned for its frequent large gatherings, including New Year’s Eve, the Sugar Bowl, Mardi Gras, and the Super Bowl. She aims to determine whether existing infrastructure and security protocols are sufficient to address the threats New Orleans faces, particularly during these high-profile events. Her investigation will inform potential changes to enhance the city’s security posture and prevent future tragedies.
Central to the investigations and lawsuits are the bollards on Bourbon Street, which were undergoing replacement at the time of the attack. While a temporary barrier was installed at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets, accounts from local business owners and employees suggest it was improperly positioned, allowing vehicles to bypass the intended security measure. Furthermore, a 2017 report had recommended the installation of new bollards specifically to mitigate the risk of mass casualty incidents, a threat identified by the FBI as a concern for the densely populated French Quarter. The report explicitly cited vehicle attacks in Nice, London, and New York City’s Times Square, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures in popular tourist destinations.
Adding another layer of concern is a confidential 2019 security assessment by Interfor International, obtained by Fox News, which identified Bourbon Street as the “most high-profile target” for a terror attack in New Orleans. The report explicitly stated that the existing bollard system “does not appear to work” and strongly recommended immediate improvements. Disturbingly, sources reveal that the city never responded to this critical assessment, raising serious questions about the city’s commitment to addressing known security vulnerabilities. Security experts have also weighed in, asserting that even if properly installed, the chosen bollard system might have been inadequate to stop Jabbar’s attack due to its low crash rating and the truck’s size and speed.
The FBI’s ongoing investigation has confirmed that Jabbar was motivated by ISIS extremism and had previously visited New Orleans twice in the months leading up to the attack. He had also traveled to Cairo, Egypt, and Toronto, Canada. While it appears Jabbar acted alone, authorities are investigating the possibility of accomplices. The confluence of security failures, warnings ignored, and a determined attacker culminated in a tragedy that has left a city grappling with its aftermath, seeking answers, and demanding accountability.
