New Orleans, known for its vibrant culture and lively celebrations, became the scene of a tragic and senseless attack on New Year’s Eve, shaking the city and the nation.
Such incidents serve as grim reminders of how quickly joy can turn into chaos, leaving communities to cope with the aftermath and individuals to rebuild their lives amid loss and pain.
The Attack
According to Hotnews Alexis Scott-Windham, an Amazon warehouse worker from Mobile, Alabama, was celebrating on Bourbon Street when a truck driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into the crowd.
Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran reportedly radicalized online, then exited the vehicle and opened fire, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30.
Scott-Windham suffered severe injuries during the attack, with her right leg crushed by the truck and a bullet lodged in her leg.
She was rushed to the hospital and is now recovering at home as doctors evaluate the safest way to remove the projectile.
Amazon’s Initial Denial
While recounting the harrowing experience to Times-Picayune, Scott-Windham revealed that her employer, Amazon, initially denied her request for medical leave.
Despite her injuries, which prevented her from returning to work, her request was refused, sparking widespread outrage on social media after her story was shared.
Scott-Windham explained that she had been scheduled to work on January 2 and notified her managers of her inability to attend due to her injuries.
Her comments about Amazon’s lack of support quickly became a focal point of criticism, overshadowing her broader message of gratitude for survival.
Following the backlash, Amazon issued a statement expressing support for Scott-Windham, pledging to provide full pay during her recovery.
“We have reached out to Ms. Scott-Windham to offer our full support,” the company said, adding that they look forward to her eventual return.
