Dillard University hosts free concert in support of victims of Bourbon Street attack

Dillard University, in partnership with The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation, hosted a free concert last Saturday to support victims impacted by the Bourbon Street attack. 

The concert included music by Le Bon Ton Baby Dolls, Margie Perez, and many more. These artists stood together to honor the victims and support the victim’s families. 

A total of 14 people died and 35 more were injured following the New Year’s Bourbon attack, as a driver intentionally plowed his truck through a crowd. 

At around 3:15 a.m. Jan 1., suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, sped through a crowd of people along three blocks of Bourbon–Iberville, Bienville, and most of Conti–as New Year’s celebrations were settling down. 

The truck crashed into a crane that was placed towards the end of Conti block. Jabbar then proceeded to get out of the car and opened fire into the crowd. He was then shot and killed by authorities, injuring two in the process. Both officers are said to recover. 

The FBI calls this New Year’s attack an act of terrorism. Investigators found homemade explosives in the vehicle–later on finding some planted around the French Quarter–and a flag that represents an Islamic State group. 

Jabbar is a U.S.-born citizen from Texas and an Army veteran who worked in both human resources and informational technology, according to the FBI. 

Statements by President Biden said that Jabbar relieved his motives hours before the attack by “[posting] videos to social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, expressing the desire to kill.” 

Officials initially thought that Jabbar may have had aid in carrying out the attack, but FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said in a news conference on Jan. 2 that he acted out alone. 

Victim families grieve the loss of loved ones. Seven of the victims were native Louisianians, five from the New Orleans area and two from the Baton Rouge area. The other six were from out-of-state, one being a British citizen. 

The oldest identified victim was 63; the youngest was 18. 

Amongst the 35 injured, several were college students, two Israeli citizens, and two Mexican citizens. 

The names of the 14 deceased victims are as follows: 

Kareem Badawi, 23, of Baton Rouge 
Martin Bech, 27, of New York City, New York 
Andrew Dauphin, 26, of Montgomery, Alabama 
Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi
William DiMaio, 25, of Holmdel, New Jersey
 Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, of Gretna 
Terrence Kennedy, 63, of New Orleans
Reggie Hunter, 37, of Prairieville 
Nicole Perez, 27, of Metairie 
Brandon Taylor, 43, of Harvey 
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, of Picayune, Mississippi
Elliot Wilkinson, 40, of Slidell 
Edward Pettifer, 31, of London, England 
LaTasha Polk, 47, of New Orleans