The man who carried out the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that killed 14 people had visited the city twice before and filmed a video of the French Quarter with Meta smart glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar also traveled to Cairo and Canada before the attack, although it was not clear whether the trip was connected to the attack, Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said at a press conference. State officials believe Jabbar, a US citizen and former US soldier, was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group to carry out the attack.
Officers shot and killed Jabbar, 42, during a firefight at the scene of a fatal rental van crash on Bourbon Street, known around the world for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Federal investigators so far believe Jabbar acted alone, but they continue to check his contacts.
“All the investigative information and evidence we have is that Jabbar worked alone here in New Orleans,” Raia said. “We have not seen any indications that he has associates in the United States, but we are still looking for possible associates in the US and outside our borders.”
Lyonel Myrthil, FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans Field Office, said Jabbar went to Cairo in the summer of 2023 and then to the Canadian province of Ontario a few days later.
“Our agents are getting answers as to where he went, who he met and how that trip may or may not be relevant to his actions here,” Myrthil said.
The suspect recorded a video with smart glasses while planning the attack, the FBI said
Jabbar had also been to New Orleans twice in the months leading up to the attack, first in October and again in November. On October 31, Myrthil said that Jabbar used the glasses of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to record a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle as he “planned this terrible attack.” He said Jabbar was also in New Orleans on November 10.
He also wore live-streaming goggles during the attack, but Myrthil said Jabbar did not turn them on.
The FBI released a video recording of Jabbar on a planning trip to New Orleans and a video showing him placing two containers of explosives in the French Quarter around 2 a.m. shortly before the attack. One of the containers, a cooler, was moved away by someone unrelated to the attack, officials said.
Joshua Jackson, the New Orleans special agent in charge, said Jabbar secretly bought the automatic rifle on Nov. 19 from a busybody in Arlington, Texas.
“This was a chance encounter,” Jackson said. “There is no way this person knew that Jabbar was motivated or had any knowledge that this attack was imminent.”
Security is the main concern before some big events
Police have used vehicles and barriers to block traffic on Bourbon and Canal streets since then. Other law enforcement agencies have helped city officials provide additional security, said Reese Harper, a New Orleans police spokeswoman.
The first show of the Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras in March is scheduled for Monday evening. New Orleans will once again host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
In an earlier attempt to protect the French Quarter, the city installed steel columns known as bollards to block traffic on Bourbon Street. Postage is often withdrawn to allow delivery to bars and restaurants. But they stopped working honestly after being burned with Mardi Gras beads, beer and other sad things.
By New Years, the bollards were gone. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell admitted the city isn’t sure whether the new bollards it’s installing in the French Quarter can stop similar traffic attacks.
“The full test I’m asking for will determine if they’re strong enough,” Cantrell said. “I can’t say with certainty that this is the case, but an expert will be able to do that, and we will respond accordingly.” Cantrell said he requested that Homeland Security upgrade Mardi Gras to the highest Special Events Rating to receive additional federal support for security and risk assessment.
President Joe Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with first lady Jill Biden on Monday to “condolence with the families and community members affected by this attack.”
After signing the Social Security Fairness Act, Biden was asked on Sunday by reporters what his message is to the families he will meet. He replied, “I was there. There is nothing you can say to someone who has lost such a tragic death, my message will be relevant to me when I find myself alone.”
Two of the explosives planted by Jabbar were found unexploded by government officials. ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson praised New Orleans police for responding quickly before the devices were disabled. He said both were armed with receivers and a transmitter was found in Jabbar’s truck.
Jabbar got out of the wrecked truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and fired at the police, injuring at least two officers before he was shot and killed by police.
Bomb-making materials were found in Jabbar’s home. Jackson said it appears that Jabbar used a chemical known as RDX, which he said is commonly found in the U.S. He said tests found RDX at Jabbar’s home in Houston and they are conducting other tests for similar substances found in a New Orleans rental home.
Jabbar tried to set the rental house on fire by lighting a small fire in the hallway but the flames were extinguished before firefighters arrived.
The suspect declares his support for the Islamic State group
Jabbar announced his support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before he struck. It was the world’s deadliest IS-inspired attack in years, underscoring what government officials have warned is a global terror threat.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that the country is not facing “the constant threat of foreign terrorism” but “a significant increase in what we call domestic violence” in recent years.
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