Army Veteran Behind New Orleans’ Bourbon Street Attack
Law enforcement officials revealed on Thursday that Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone in the shocking incident that left 14 people dead and 35 injured on New Year’s Day. According to FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia, the attack was classified as an act of terrorism at a press conference.
Despite ongoing investigations, Raia emphasized that there is currently no concrete evidence linking the New Orleans tragedy to a separate explosion in Las Vegas later that same day.
Jabbar, aged 42, had openly expressed his support for the Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS, on social media. Just before driving onto Bourbon Street, he posted four videos on Facebook outlining his extremist views. In one video, he mentioned considering harming his friends and family but ultimately decided to focus on what he called the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the reopening of the tourist hotspot to the public on Thursday morning.
Authorities are currently analyzing two laptops and three phones belonging to Jabbar. Additionally, a house in Mandeville, Louisiana, just north of New Orleans, is being searched for further evidence.
This story is still developing. Stay tuned for updates.
