Survivor of New Orleans Terrorist Attack Describes 'Surreal' Aftermath of Deadly Assault That Shattered His Legs

 Jeremi Sensky is among at least 35 individuals who were injured when a Texas man drove a truck through Bourbon Street on New Year's Day.

Jan. 3, 2025, 3:24 AM GMT+6

NEW ORLEANS — Jeremi Sensky was heading back to his hotel after meeting friends early on New Year’s Day when he heard a "massive noise" — the last thing he remembers before finding himself face down on the ground, his wheelchair shattered around him.

Sensky survived the deadly terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on Wednesday morning, when a Texas man, inspired by the Islamic State, drove a truck into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans' French Quarter. Speaking from his hospital room, where he’s recovering from two broken legs, Sensky shared his experience with NBC News.

"I assume I got hit by the truck, but honestly, no one’s told me that, so I don’t know," Sensky said. "But my wheelchair was completely destroyed, and the pieces were scattered everywhere, so something hit me."

The attack, carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, took place after Jabbar traveled from Texas to Louisiana on New Year’s Eve. In videos posted on social media, he explained that he initially planned to harm his family and friends but decided instead to carry out a larger attack, targeting the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.”

Driving a rented Ford F-150, Jabbar swerved onto the sidewalk, plowing into the crowd despite barriers and police presence. He was killed in a gunfight with officers. The attack left 14 dead and dozens injured.

Sensky, who was nearby when the truck crashed into the crowd, recalled the chaos. "It happened so fast," he said. "One minute I was turning around, and the next I was on the ground with gunfire ringing out from every direction."

Unable to find his phone, Sensky screamed for help. "No one would come," he said. "So I pushed myself onto my back, and I saw people taking pictures from a balcony. I was screaming for help, but they just looked at me."

A police officer named Patrick eventually approached Sensky and told him that many were dead, adding, "You’re lucky to be alive."

"I kept asking for someone to help me and get me out of there, but it took a while," Sensky explained. "I realized it was a bad scene."

Paralyzed from the waist down before the attack, Sensky believes no one realized he couldn’t walk as the chaos unfolded around him. Eventually, he was carried to an ambulance and taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. His right leg, shattered into "a million pieces," was badly injured, but he feels it ultimately saved his life.

The experience, he said, feels "surreal." Emotional as he reflected on the attack, Sensky expressed his disbelief at the violence. "I love everybody. Everybody," he said. "I can’t believe that this could happen."