Americans praying after New Orleans terror attack

Americans are praying after a violent begin to 2025 with a deadly terror attack in New Orleans that could be linked to a automotive explosion in Las Vegas. 

Fifteen people died when a pick-up truck drove through crowds of revellers in New Orleans’ French Quarter within the early hours of New Year’s day. Dozens more were wounded in what authorities are calling an act of terrorism. 

The driver of the truck has been named as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US Army veteran from Texas, who was shot dead by police on the scene. 

Evangelist Franklin Graham called the attack “horrific” and asked his 10 million Facebook followers to hope for the victims’ families and the injured.

“This is a transparent indication of the evil within the human heart, and the evil that’s around us on this world … We pray for individuals who lost family members and the various injured,” he said. 

“This tragic incident is a reminder of how vital it’s for every of us to be able to stand before God.

“None of us know once we could be caught in a vortex of violence and evil, and our lives on this earth will come to an end.

“The only hope for all of us is that if we repent of our sin and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.” 

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said the attack “reminds us that evil is present in our society”.

“We need God’s hand of protection upon our nation,” he said. 

Catholic Archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Aymond, said in an announcement, “Our prayers exit to those killed and injured on this morning’s horrific attack on Bourbon Street.

“This violent act is an indication of utter disrespect for human life. I join with others within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in offering prayerful support to the victims’ families.

“I give thanks for the heroic duty of a whole bunch of law enforcement and medical personnel within the face of such evil.”

The FBI said that an Islamic Stage group flag was found on the vehicle and that they don’t consider the perpetrator acted alone. 

They are also investigating possible links to the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas which killed the motive force and injured seven others.