A lawsuit is planned against the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the city, alleging negligence in the fatal New Year's Day truck attack that left 14 dead and dozens injured. Maples & Connick, LLC will file the suit Wednesday, claiming the city failed to implement basic safety precautions.
The attack, carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, involved a rented Ford pickup truck driven into a crowd on Bourbon Street. Authorities say Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas, intentionally rammed the vehicle into the crowd, while also having explosives.
The lawsuit contends that the attack was foreseeable and preventable. The firm cites the absence of bollards, barriers commonly used to deter vehicles from entering pedestrian zones, as a critical factor in the tragedy. These bollards were out of service for Super Bowl preparations.
Prior warnings about the inadequacy of the existing security measures were made, according to a 2019 report by a security firm. The report, intended for the group managing the French Quarter, noted the ineffectiveness of the barriers and highlighted vehicular ramming and active shooting as potential terror tactics.
The firm accuses the NOPD of gross negligence, asserting that their failures directly contributed to the devastating outcome. They emphasize the profound impact on victims and survivors. The lawsuit seeks to provide answers and accountability for this horrific incident. The suspect's alleged ISIS affiliation is part of the ongoing investigation.
