The Sheff & Cook team was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the horrific terror attack that took place in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 1, 2025, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more.

According to the latest reports from the FBI, a radicalized Texas-born man drove a pickup truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street at around 3:15 am on Wednesday as they were celebrating the new year. He then opened fire, but was shot and killed by courageous officers from the New Orleans Police Department. Improvised explosive devices were later found in the vehicle as well as in other locations in the French Quarter. Additional information on the ongoing investigation can be found at www.fbi.gov/bourbonstreetupdates.

The names of the deceased, who ranged in age from 18 to 63, have been released to the public by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office.

In the wake of this terrible event, our thoughts are with all of the victims’ families, injured survivors, and the entire New Orleans community. We commend the heroism of bystanders and first responders in the face of such violence.

A tragedy like this one illustrates the unfortunate importance of safety devices, like bollards, to protect innocent pedestrians from this type of senseless terrorism. These vehicle barriers are inexpensive and can be very effective, but sadly, it appears they were insufficient in this case.

According to New Orleans city officials, the security bollards on Bourbon Street were removed for replacement due to a series of malfunctions. The temporary barriers, strategically placed vehicles, and law enforcement officers deployed the night of the attack proved to be insufficient to prevent the truck from reaching the sidewalk, resulting in the carnage that ensued.

If you or someone you love has suffered catastrophic injury or wrongful death due to the absence of safety/security bollards, contact our team for a consultation.