New Orleans Terror Attack Touches UA
The terror attack on the French Quarter in the early hours of 2025 has touched the University of Alabama. WBRZ TV News in Baton Rouge is reporting that UA freshman Kareem Badawi was among 15 people killed when a Texas man driving a pickup truck, flying an ISIS flag on a pole mounted on the rear, plowed into revelers celebrating the new year.
Badawi is listed among the new members this past semester of the Iota Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi on the UA campus. He is a graduate of Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. He was with another graduate of the school who was injured. The school will hold a vigil tomorrow in Badawi's memory.
In a social media release the Captone issued the following statement, "The University of Alabama Fraternity system has been tragically impacted by the events which unfolded in New Orleans last evening/early morning. The specific details will be forthcoming but please pray for the family, the members and our entire community as we deal with the senseless tragedy in our own way.
"May God Bless and keep each one of our boys, their friends and all of our families."
UA President Stuart Bell also released a statement mourning the school's loss.
"I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans. I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss," Bell wrote. "Our staff have been actively engaged in supportive outreach and the Office of Student Care and Well Being is available at 205-348-2461 or bamacares@ua.edu. Please take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy."
The FBI said that the man driving the vehicle was identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas. He drove his white pickup around two police vehicles barricading Borbon Street and onto the sidewalk, from there he mowed down dozens of innocent people. Police also found two IEDs hidden and disarmed them. The suspect was shot dead at the scene by two New Orleans Police Officers who were wounded but will recover.
It is also being reported that a University of Georgia student in the Crescent City for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff Game is among the casualties.
The Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed until tomorrow afternoon as the investigation continues and out of an abundance of caution.
This is a breaking and fluid story that will be updated as more information becomes available.