The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified Washington lawmakers on Thursday that a pipe bomb had been discovered in a short-term rental where the individual who drove into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year’s morning had been staying. According to a Congressional source knowledgeable of the conversation between the FBI and the House Committee on Homeland Security, it was revealed that investigators also found improvised explosive devices inside coolers on Bourbon Street. The coolers had purportedly been purchased at a Walmart prior to the attack.
Initially, authorities had indicated that they suspected Shamsud-Din Jabbar had not acted alone when he plowed into a crowd on New Year’s morning, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 individuals. However, on Thursday, they disclosed that new evidence pointed to him being the sole perpetrator of the attack. Jabbar was fatally shot by law enforcement immediately following the incident.
The FBI noted that the vehicle used in the attack had an ISIS flag affixed to it. Investigators informed lawmakers that while the assailant had pledged loyalty to ISIS, there was no evidence suggesting direct communication with ISIS operatives.
Jabbar, a veteran of the U.S. Army, reportedly made five updates on Facebook on the morning of the assault, as per information obtained by the FBI. President Joe Biden remarked on Wednesday that one of the attacker’s posts indicated he had been influenced by ISIS and harbored intentions of causing harm. The FBI clarified to lawmakers that they had no prior intelligence regarding Jabbar potentially plotting an attack.
In addition to briefing lawmakers on the situation in New Orleans, details were shared regarding an explosion in Las Vegas that occurred subsequent to the events in New Orleans. Lawmakers were briefed that despite certain similarities, there were no established connections between the incidents. Both individuals involved had served in the U.S. military and had rented vehicles through the Turo app.
For more information, see the related story on the reopening of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street following the deadly truck attack.
