The start of 2025 brought unexpected violence in major US cities, drawing attention nationwide.
According to Newsweek, former First Lady Melania Trump and President Joe Biden have both responded to terrorist incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day involving the Turo app.
In the early morning of January 1st, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar conducted a deadly assault in New Orleans' French Quarter. The attack led to the deaths of 15 individuals and left 30 wounded.
Late on the same day, an explosion occurred at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. It was initiated by an explosive device and large fireworks stored in a Cybertruck. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, confirmed that the incident was not due to a vehicle defect. One person lost their life and seven others were injured in the blast.
Both tragic events are currently under investigation as acts of terrorism, with potential links to vehicles rented through the Turo app, although no concrete evidence has been determined yet.
During a press conference, President Joe Biden acknowledged the two terrorist acts and assured that intelligence services along with law enforcement are intensively searching for any connections. So far, the President has confirmed that no definitive links between the attacks have been established. The community and the nation await further updates.
The names of some victims from the New Orleans attack have been made public as families begin to mourn; Reggie Hunter, Nikyra Dedeaux, Tiger Bech, and Nicole Perez were among those tragically killed.
Melania Trump expressed her concerns regarding the alarming violence. She emphasized the need to put an end to such brutality and extended her condolences to those affected.
Melania Trump stated:
"The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss."
"Let us strive for a future where peace prevails," Melania Trump added, highlighting her vision for a more peaceful society.
The authorities are urging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward as they try to piece together the events and prevent future tragedies. The hope is to gain a full understanding of these brutal acts to ensure the safety of the public.
The communities in New Orleans and Las Vegas are coping with the shock and aftermath of the New Year’s Day violence. Vigils have been planned to honor the victims and support grieving families.
Investigative teams are working relentlessly, sifting through evidence and collaborating nationally to ascertain motives and prevent similar future incidents.
This has indeed been a sobering start to the new year, marked by these unfortunate events leading to calls from prominent figures like Melania Trump for a cessation of violence and an effort by all to foster a more peaceful future. The investigations are ongoing, and the nation awaits more comprehensive findings that will hopefully lead to greater security and peace.
