President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended a memorial service for the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack in New Orleans on Monday. The service, an interfaith prayer service, was held at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, less than a mile away from the scene of the attack.
The terrorist attack occurred on New Year’s Day, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd of celebrants, killing 14 people and injuring over 30. Jabbar died at the scene, bringing the total number of deaths to 15.
President Biden made remarks during the service, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. He noted that the attack was a “shock and pain” that was still “very raw,” and commended the first responders who saved lives amid the chaos.
The president also praised the strength and resilience of the people of New Orleans, saying that they define “strength and resilience” and that they “get back up” after facing adversity, whether it be a terrorist attack, hurricane, or superstorm.
The service came less than a week after the attack, and it is still under investigation. Federal and local officials are continuing to gather evidence about the terrorist attack, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has completed its investigation of Jabbar’s Airbnb in New Orleans.
Jabbar, who rented a house on Mandeville Street and left it hours before unleashing his attack, set a fire at the rental house to destroy evidence, but the fire eventually smoldered by the time authorities arrived. Accelerants that Jabbar strategically placed ended up not catching fire, allowing authorities to gather evidence.
The incident is still under investigation, and officials are continuing to gather evidence about the terrorist attack.