Billy Strings took to social media to voice the heartbreak he's feeling in regards to the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, Louisiana. On the morning of New Year’s Day around 3 A.M. – mere hours after many rang in the new year on Bourbon Street –  tragedy struck. A terrorist drove a truck into a crowd of people that were still celebrating the holiday, killing 14 and injuring dozens of others. After the suspect crashed into what appears to be a construction lift, he got out of the truck and engaged with New Orleans police that were stationed there in anticipation of the New Year’s celebration. Two officers suffered gunshot wounds before the terror suspect was killed by the police. The investigation into the attack is still ongoing, but the suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was flying an ISIS flag on the back of his truck. The FBI has declared the attack an act of terrorism, as you can read in their statement from New Year's Day: “This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others. The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.” https://twitter.com/FBINewOrleans/status/1874466884931723754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1874466884931723754%7Ctwgr%5Eb8f4a2bdcbb48fda3695760ed4fcaa7e69573e9c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2025%2F01%2F02%2Fsaints-star-cam-jordan-makes-25k-donation-to-new-orleans-new-years-day-tragedy-fund%2F Hours before the attack, singer/songwriter Billy Strings had just wrapped up three straight nights of shows at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. The popular bluegrass musician played the venue December 29th through December 31st, capping it off with a show that started in 2024 and carried over into the New Year of 2025. It even featured a sing along to the anthem of every New Year's celebration: "Auld Lang Syne." But hours after the show, tragedy struck not too far from where Billy Strings had fostered an overwhelming feeling of joy and togetherness through his music. The 32-year-old artist was devastated when he heard the news, and took some time to put together his thoughts before sharing a lengthy message on social media later on New Year's Day: "I am absolutely heartbroken and appalled about what happened in New Orleans last night. I can’t stop thinking about the unsuspecting victims and how unfair this is... about the families whose loved ones won’t be coming home from their NYE celebration this year. Or the people who are on those streets every single day whose perspective of the holiday and city will be permanently scarred." Though Bourbon Street opened back up for business later on January 2, patrons didn't immediately return to the area - to the "Away From The Mire" singer's point. The famous setting for Mardi Gras will likely feel the effects of the terrorist attack for years to come, and those who cherish the French Quarter won't soon forget what happened on New Year's Day in 2025. Billy Strings went on to ask the question that every American is wondering as we collectively mourn the loss of 14 lives extinguished far too soon: "Why? Why can’t people just enjoy a night out and celebrate the new year in peace without someone carrying out senseless acts of violence? We had just finished three beautiful nights of music... there was so much love in the air at the end of the show. To think that just two hours later this kind of tragedy would unfold just baffles me. My heart is in pieces for the victims and for their families." https://twitter.com/BillyStrings/status/1874597801746669600