⚡ January 1, 2025: Lightning Flashes Precede a New Day of Terror

On New Year’s Eve into the early hours of January 1, the U.S. experienced a bizarre celestial display—lightning bolts dramatically lit up landmarks like the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, unsettling many who saw them as ominous signs.(EADaily)

🚚‍♂️ Morning Attack on Bourbon Street

◾ At approximately 3:15 a.m. CST, an armed man drove a Ford F‑150 Lightning pickup truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. He then exited the vehicle and opened fire before being shot and killed by responding officers.(Wikipedia)

Fatalities: 14 victims + the attacker
Injuries: At least 57, including two police officers
Perpetrator: Shamsud‑Din Jabbar, a 42‑year‑old from Houston, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS in social media posts shortly before the attack.(Wikipedia)
🚗 Related Las Vegas Explosion

Later that same morning, in Paradise, Nevada, a rented Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel. The blast killed the driver and injured seven bystanders. Though similarities were drawn—both vehicles were rentals, and both perpetrators had a military background—the FBI found no conclusive link between the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas incident.(Wikipedia)

🔍 National Response & Aftermath

The New Orleans attack was quickly classified as domestic terrorism inspired by Islamic State ideology, though no direct foreign involvement was confirmed.(Wikipedia)
Louisiana authorities established reunification centers for victims and responders. The Sugar Bowl event scheduled for later that day was postponed due to heightened security concerns. A tribute to the victims and first responders took place before the rescheduled game and was later carried into Super Bowl LIX opening ceremonies.(Wikipedia)
International leaders and institutions—including the United Nations, Pope Francis, and the British royal family—condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with American victims and families.(Wikipedia)
Shortly afterward, the FBI raided Jabbar’s Houston residence and obtained additional evidence; a man known to associate with him was taken into custody.(Wikipedia)
🧭 Why This Date Felt Like a Curse

The eerie convergence of ominous lightning over U.S. monuments and the deadly spree of terror attacks made January 1, 2025 feel like a grim turning point—one that shook the world awake just as the New Year began.