Like most of the country, Billy Strings is in mourning. The singer/songwriter is speaking out about the heartbreaking attack on Bourbon Street that killed 15 people and injured multiple others.
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Strings actually happened to be in New Orleans at the time of the attack. He had performed at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans from December 29 to December 31.
All of that joy of performing came to a screeching halt when Strings learned about the tragedy experienced by the city.
On social media, Strings wrote, "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."
Billy Strings Mourns Tragedy On Bourbon Street After 15 Die In Attack
As Strings points out, it will take years for the city to recover from the devastating tragedy. What should have been a fresh start to a New Year became a devastating tragedy for the country. 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove through a crowded Bourbon Street on New Year's Day. He ended up dying after getting in a shootout with police.
Strings also continued, "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."
Meanwhile, the FBI also released a statement about the tragedy. They wrote, "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."
