After the horrific terror attack in New Orleans on the famed Bourbon Street, where a man, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove into a crowd, killing 15 and injuring 35, several of Florida's Congressional delegation members reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter), offering their prayers for the victims.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) said that he and his wife Ann "are praying for those who lost their lives or were injured and their families," adding that he was "heartbroken."
Heartbroken to hear of the deadly attack in New Orleans.
Ann and I are praying for those who lost their lives or were injured and their families.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 1, 2025
Similarly, Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) also said he and his wife Erika are praying for the victims, going further to say, "We stand with the City of New Orleans and law enforcement as they investigate this heinous act of evil. This never should have happened. The safety and security of the American people must be our TOP PRIORITY."
Erika and I pray for the victims of the New Orleans terrorist attack and their families.
We stand with the City of New Orleans and law enforcement as they investigate this heinous act of evil.
This never should have happened.
The safety and security of the American people must…
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 1, 2025
In addition to offering his prayers, Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) thanked the first responders "for their dedication and heroism."
Praying for the victims of last night’s attack in New Orleans, including the 10 innocent souls who lost their lives and their families.
Grateful to the first responders for their dedication and heroism.
— Dr. Neal Dunn (@DrNealDunnFL2) January 1, 2025
Representative Vern Buchanan's (R-FL) post implored his followers to pray with him and his wife, Sandy. Also, it commended the first responders at the scene of the attack, which he condemned as a "horrific and senseless act of terrorism."
Please join me and Sandy in praying for the victims, their families and all of our brave first responders in the wake of this horrific and senseless act of terrorism in New Orleans overnight. https://t.co/QXJWAdCYmc
— Rep. Vern Buchanan (@VernBuchanan) January 1, 2025
Finally, Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), like Rep. Donalds, said, "This was a horrible tragedy that should have never happened!"
My prayers for the people of New Orleans. This was a horrible tragedy that should have never happened! 🙏🏻
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 1, 2025
The perpetrator of the attack, Shamsud Din Jabbar, has been identified as a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran and was found with an Islamic State (ISIS) flag in his truck. Recent reports suggest he coordinated with other unknown individuals, who had supposedly planted explosives throughout New Orleans' French Quarter for a larger attack.
President-elect Donald Trump, in his initial statement about the attack on Truth Social, appeared to believe Jabbar was an illegal alien, saying, "The criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country; that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true. The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department."
