Ocean City Native Recovering from New Orleans Terror Attack

An Army veteran from Ocean City expects to make a full recovery from the serious injuries he suffered in the New Orleans terror attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day.

“As a witness to this horrific act, my thoughts are focused on the many victims who lost their lives or are facing critical injuries,” Adam Coste said in a statement issued Tuesday through his employer, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Coste added in the statement that although he expects to make a full recovery from his injuries, many other victims of the attack “are far less fortunate.”

“Please join me in keeping them in your thoughts and supporting them and their families,” he said.

While focusing on his recovery, Coste has declined to be interviewed by the media, but noted in his statement that he “greatly appreciates everyone’s concern and well wishes during this challenging time.”

The National World War II Museum confirmed in a separate statement that Coste is one of its employees and that it continues to provide support and assistance to him and his family during his recovery.

“We continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted,” the museum added.

Coste was among the victims when a supporter of the ISIS terrorist group rammed his pickup truck into revelers celebrating New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

The attacker, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, an Army veteran from Houston, was later killed in a shootout with New Orleans police. Authorities identified Jabbar as an ISIS sympathizer and called the attack an act of terror. They said an ISIS flag was attached to Jabbar’s truck during the attack.

In addition to killing 14 people, the attack injured at least 35 other New Year’s Day revelers, according to media reports.

    Adam Coste, center, is shown during his service with the U.S. Army. (Photo courtesy of Adam Coste's Facebook page)
  

Coste had been walking home when he was hit by Jabbar’s truck, suffering extensive injuries to his lower extremities, according to information in a GoFundMe account set up for his benefit.

“He is undergoing treatment from a local hospital in New Orleans and will require an intensive course of surgeries and rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk,” Scott Hedge, the GoFundMe organizer, wrote of Coste.

As of Tuesday evening, the GoFundMe account had raised more than $90,000. Donations will go toward Coste’s medical expenses and most of any remaining funds will be donated to the other victims and their families at Coste’s request, Coste’s sister, Sophia Coste, wrote on Facebook.

“As many of you know, my brother Adam was injured in the horrific attack in New Orleans. He is alive and recovering from his injuries, and for that, we are profoundly grateful. On behalf of Adam and our family, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of you who have reached out in support of his recovery,” Sophia Coste wrote.

According to biographical information on Adam Coste’s own Facebook page, he is from Ocean City. A photo of Coste for the GoFundMe account shows him standing in front of the Ocean City Fishing Club Pier.

Coste served in the U.S. Army as an infantry company commander, headquarters company commander and then as an assistant professor of military science at Tulane University for more than 12 years, the GoFundMe account said.

Most recently, Coste has been working at the National World War II Museum.

“He courageously served our nation on multiple combat deployments, and is a military history enthusiast. Adam would quite literally give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it. He would never ask for help because he is typically the one helping us,” Hedge wrote as part of the GoFundMe account.

Mike Morrissey, commander of VFW Post 6650 in Ocean City, said in an interview Tuesday that the post is discussing ways to do something for Coste and his family.

Morrissey spoke to Ocean City attorney Avery Teitler about Coste because Teitler knows Coste and his family well, Morrissey said.

Teitler could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday about Coste.

    Adam Coste works at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. (Photo courtesy of National WWII Museum)