President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended a memorial service in New Orleans on Monday, January 6, 2025, to honor the 14 victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. The interfaith service, held at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, brought together families, community members, and officials to grieve and offer support.
The President offered words of comfort, acknowledging the raw pain and shock still felt by the community. He emphasized the nation's solidarity with New Orleans, praising the city's resilience in the face of tragedy, referencing past challenges such as hurricanes and superstorms.
Biden also mentioned his recent meeting with two injured officers, commending the first responders for their bravery and life-saving efforts during the attack.
The attack, perpetrated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, claimed 15 lives, including the perpetrator, and resulted in over 30 injuries. The victims, many in their 20s, came from various states across the U.S. The ongoing investigation continues to uncover details about the attack, with federal and local authorities working to piece together the events.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) completed its investigation of Jabbar's rented Airbnb, revealing attempts to destroy evidence through arson. However, the fire smoldered out, unintentionally preserving crucial evidence, including traces of the explosive RDX. The ATF also discovered that Jabbar's inexperience with explosives led him to use an electric match instead of a detonator, hindering his destructive plans.
