New Orleans Saints star Cam Jordan helped his community in the wake of the New Year’s Eve terror attack with a $25k donation for victims and their families.
The Big Easy has been left devastated by the fatal attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which claimed the lives of 15 and left 35 injured after a terrorist plowed a vehicle into a large crowd celebrating the New Year on Bourbon Street.
Driver Shamsud Din Jabbar, who was killed in a resulting shootout with police, rammed into the group at high speed before getting out and firing a weapon, witnesses said.
Investigators also found what appeared to be improvised explosives at the crash site that did not detonate.
After the incident, the 35-year-old defensive back shared that he had partnered with the Greater New Orleans Foundation and the City of New Orleans to help those affected by the tragedy.
‘I am joining @GNOFoundation and the @CityOfNOLA by donating $25,000 to the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund to support victims of the attack,’ Jordan wrote on X with a link to the fundraiser.
‘Please consider donating to assist the families of those who lost their lives and those who were severely injured. Donate to help those impacted.’
Hours before, he also expressed his condolences upon hearing about the attack.
‘Woke up to texts about what happened on bourbon street last night, God bless! A pure tragedy, sorry to all those lives that were affected,’ Jordan wrote.
‘Prayers out to New Orleans,’ he added later while reposting photos from the aftermath.
The FBI said Jabbar, 42, was a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas. They are investigating the massacre ‘as an act of terrorism’ and New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell described it as a ‘terrorist attack’.
An ISIS flag and weapons were found inside the vehicle, as the FBI assesses his connection to the terror group.
Guns and pipe bombs were found in the suspect’s vehicle, according to the State Police bulletin.
The attack in New Orleans comes less than six weeks before the city is scheduled to host this year’s Super Bowl on February 9, raising concerns amongst NFL fans ahead of the 2025 showpiece.
Yet in a statement about the horrific events, the league stressed that Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome would be a safe experience after two years of ‘comprehensive security plans’ were put together.
‘We are deeply saddened by the news of the devastating incident in New Orleans,’ an NFL statement read. ‘Our thoughts are with the victims, the New Orleans community and all those affected.
‘The NFL and the local host committee have been working collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies the past two years and have developed comprehensive security plans,’ the statement continued.
‘These planning sessions will continue as they do with all major NFL events and we are confident attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience.’
