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.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.