Police officers run toward danger. It sounds like hyperbole, but on Jan. 1 at 3:15 a.m., the world learned exactly what that meant. A suspect cowardly bypassed a police barricade and drove into a group of pedestrians on Bourbon Street. When his vehicle was disabled, he was intent on harming as many people as possible using improvised explosive devices and firearms. However, officers met him at his vehicle and the threat was neutralized.
The people and officers of New Orleans are resilient, but everyone has been affected by these events and we’re praying for each of them. There is still much work to do and YOU CAN HELP:
SUPPORT officers in the city through the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation.
GIVE blood. Register online and save time. Supplies were already low at the Blood Center.
NOTIFY the FBI with any information about suspect Shamsud Bin Jabbar or his prior actions. He likely did not work alone. 1-800-CALL-FBI.
CALL friends and family in New Orleans. A kind word goes a long way.
THANK every officer you meet. You can also email your messages to matthew@nopjf.org to share locally.
– Melanie A. Talia, J.D., President & CEO, New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation & and the NOPJF Team
