Latest attack in New Orleans: FBI says suspect acted alone; other things to know

NEW ORLEANS – Many questions remained unanswered more than 24 hours after a man drove a van into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more.

The FBI is now convinced that this was a terrorist act. They identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, 42 years olda self-proclaimed ISIS supporter.

Authorities have not yet released the names of those killed, but their families and friends began sharing their stories. Around 35 people were injured.

Here is the latest information:

FBI investigates New Orleans truck attack

What we know: Around 3:15 a.m. local time, the driver of a rented van drove onto a sidewalk, driving around a police car positioned to block vehicle traffic, and slammed into revelers celebrating the new year on Bourbon Street.

The driver was killed by police after getting out of the truck and opening fire on responding officers, authorities said. Three officers returned fire and two were shot and were in stable condition.

Authorities also discovered two potential explosive devices hidden in coolers, the FBI said. Initially, agents were looking for accomplices who could have placed them in the French Quarter, but they now say those people were just bystanders and that Jabbar acted alone.

What we don’t know: Authorities revised the death toll to 14 from 15, but have not yet identified the victims killed in the attack.

New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement Wednesday that they will release the names of the dead once autopsies are completed, and that they have spoken with next of kin.

What’s next: The FBI is seeking more information. They want to talk to everyone who knew Jabbar and any witnesses who might have seen the improvised explosive devices he left in the French Quarter.

“Whether you knew Jabar, personally worked with him, served in the military, or saw him in New Orleans or Texas, we need to talk to you,” FBI Deputy Director-General Christopher Raia. “You may not think you have relevant information, but what you know could be linked to one of our investigators’ leads.”

Chronology:

• Jabbar picked up the rented truck in Houston on December 30
• I went to New Orleans on December 31
• Posted 5 videos discussing support for ISIS between 1:29 a.m. and 3:02 a.m. on December 31.
• Rammed the truck into a crowd around 3:15 a.m., then died in a shootout with police.

What they say: “Let me be very clear on this: This was an act of terrorism. It was a premeditated and evil act,” Raia said.

New Orleans bombing suspect

What we know: The FBI said Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas. A flag representing the Islamic State group was found on the vehicle’s trailer hitch, according to the agency.

The suspect had posted five videos on social networks hours before the attack, claiming to have been inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing his desire to kill, President Joe Biden » said, calling the attack a “despicable” and “heinous” act.

Jabbar joined the Army in 2007, serving on active duty in human resources and information technology and deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, the service said. He transferred to the Army Reserve in 2015 and left in 2020 with the rank of staff sergeant.

What we don’t know: The FBI is trying to determine Jabbar’s motive and specific choice of Bourbon Street for the attack. They also want to know whether Jabbar was truly associated with ISIS, as well as his “path to radicalization.”

Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas

What we know: The same day as the New Orleans attack, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, responsible for fireworks and other devicesaccording to police.

The driver, identified by police as Matthew Livelsberger, was killed in the explosion and seven people nearby were injured.

Police are investigating the explosion as a possible terrorist act with the help of Elon Musk, CEO of Teslawho posted updates on social media.

What we don’t know: It was not clear whether the explosion was linked to the Apparent terrorist attack along Bourbon Street in New Orleansbut officials now say they don’t believe that’s the case.

Although the rear of the vehicle was loaded with explosives, it was also unclear how this was done or why.

The Sugar Bowl will begin in New Orleans

What we know: The College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was postponed a day because of the truck attack, which happened about a mile and a half away.

“Public safety is paramount,” said Jeff Hundley, CEO of Sugar Bowl, during a press briefing alongside federal, state and local officials, including Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and the mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell. “All parties agree that it is in everyone’s best interest and public safety to postpone the game.”

What we don’t know: We don’t know exactly how many traveling fans could still attend the match despite the decision to postpone it for a day. Online ticket prices dropped in some cases to less than $25 as fans planning to leave Thursday tried to unload them.

What’s next: The game, originally scheduled for Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. CST at the 70,000-seat Superdome, will now take place Thursday at 3 p.m. local time.

The winner advances to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against Penn State.

Crime and public safetyLouisianaNews