New Orleans attack: Army veteran identified as key suspect
The FBI has confirmed that the bomber from New Orleans is a 42-year-old US citizen named Shamsud Din Jabbar, who is a veteran of the US Army. Explosive devices were found both in his car and in the French Quarter, where the attack took place. Investigators are convinced the man did not act alone.
On Wednesday morning, local time, a pickup truck ploughed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter. At least 15 people were killed, and 35 were injured.
The attacker then exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with the police. He was shot by officers and died at the scene.
"The subject has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas (...). An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and the FBI is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organisations," the FBI stated in an official communication.
He was not the only one responsible
During a Wednesday press conference, attended by representatives from the FBI, police, and city authorities, it was reported that weapons and explosive charges were found in the perpetrator's vehicle and were neutralised.
Two explosive devices were also discovered near the site of the attack.
FBI agent Alethea Duncan stated during the press conference that according to the authorities, Jabbar was not "solely responsible" and requested that witnesses provide any information regarding the perpetrator and his recent activities.
Officials indicated they believe several suspects were involved in organising the attack.
US Army veteran
The FBI also reported that the car Jabbar used to drive into the crowd celebrating the New Year was rented. Earlier, television channel NBC contacted the family of the vehicle's owner from Houston, who confirmed they rented out the car via a mobile app.
According to publicly available information confirmed by the FBI, Jabbar served in the US Army as an IT worker, and subsequently worked in IT companies and the real estate sector.
Data obtained by CBS News revealed Jabbar was a Houston resident. He held hunting and fishing licences, as well as a real estate licence, which expired in 2021. He had previous legal issues, having been charged with theft and driving without a licence.
Court documents accessed by CBS News indicate Jabbar divorced in 2020. His wife subsequently filed for a court restraining order to ensure her and their children's safety.
The attacker bypassed barriers by driving on the pavement
To date, 15 fatalities have been confirmed in the attack, along with 35 injuries. The local police chief, Anne Kirkpatrick, suggested that the death toll may rise, noting that some of the injured were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Among the injured are two Israeli citizens.
The local police chief explained that the perpetrator managed to drive into the crowd and bypass barriers because the city is currently replacing special bollards installed in 2017 to prevent similar attacks. In their place, along sections of Bourbon Street, police cars and other barriers were set up, but the attacker bypassed them by driving onto the pavement and striking the crowd.
