An Ole Miss student is confirmed to have been critically injured in the deadly suspected terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
The unidentified student is one of at least 30 people confirmed to have experienced bodily harm after 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street at the French Quarter around 3:15 a.m. The attack also killed 15 people, including Gulfport native 18-year-old Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux.
Jabbar, a Texas native and U.S. Army veteran, was shot and killed by police after opening fire and wounding two officers in the process. The suspect had an ISIS flag waving on the back of the truck he used to seek carnage during New Year’s celebrations.
Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce issued the following statement about the injury to the student and offered his prayers for everyone impacted by the attack.
I was deeply saddened to learn that one of our own students was critically injured in the violent attack in downtown New Orleans and is receiving medical care. I have spoken directly with the student’s mother to extend the university’s full support and convey that our campus community is thinking of them during this tremendously difficult time. We join the New Orleans community in grief. As we begin the new year with heavy hearts, let us hold our injured student, their family, the first responders, and all those affected by this tragic event close in our thoughts and prayers.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of the fatal incident on Wednesday as law enforcement agencies engage in a full-court press to determine who acted alongside Jabbar. An uptick of police has made its way to New Orleans to ensure no additional threats to public safety.
The attack caused the postponement of the Sugar Bowl matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame, a College Football Playoff game, due to security concerns. The game has been rescheduled to take place on Thursday at 3 p.m. CT.
