Crime
Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson injured in New Orleans car-ramming attack
The driver of a pickup truck, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, deliberately plowed into crowds, killing 15 people and injuring dozens.
Two college students have been identified as among the injured in the New Orleans car-ramming attack on New Year’s Day, which left 15 people dead and dozens more wounded.
The Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida, confirmed that the two young women, Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson, both graduated from the school in 2023.
The families of Eisele and Idelson released a joint statement expressing their gratitude for the support they have received in the wake of the tragedy:
“The Eisele and Idelson families are deeply grateful for the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and offers of support for our daughters following the tragic attack in New Orleans. We are especially thankful for the exceptional care and compassion they are receiving at University Medical Center.
“We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the first responders, whose swift actions may have saved our daughters’ lives. To everyone who has reached out with love and support, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
While details about the extent of their injuries have not been disclosed, both young women are reportedly receiving treatment at University Medical Center in New Orleans, which has been at the forefront of providing care for victims of the attack.
The New Orleans terror attack occurred early on January 1, 2025, during New Year’s and Sugar Bowl celebrations on Bourbon Street.
The driver of a pickup truck, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, deliberately plowed into crowds, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Jabbar then exited the vehicle and opened fire on police before being fatally shot.
Investigators later discovered an ISIS flag and potential explosive devices inside the vehicle.
The attack has drawn national and international attention, with the FBI leading the investigation and authorities working to uncover possible accomplices.
The Canterbury School has expressed solidarity with the Eisele and Idelson families. In a statement shared with the school community, officials said:
“Our hearts are with Elle, Steele, their families, and all those impacted by this senseless tragedy. We are committed to supporting them in every way possible as they navigate this difficult time.”
The broader Fort Myers community has rallied around the families, with many offering support and organizing efforts to aid in their recovery.
The Eisele and Idelson families have requested privacy as their daughters focus on healing but have expressed deep appreciation for the compassion and care shown to them.
Community members are encouraged to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.
This tragedy underscores the resilience of the victims and their families and highlights the critical work of first responders and medical teams in the wake of such events.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.