Raia stated, “All investigative details and evidence available to us continue to indicate that Jabbar acted alone in New Orleans. There have been no signs of an accomplice in the United States, but we are actively investigating potential associates both domestically and internationally.”
Jabbar, a former Army veteran hailing from Houston, rammed a rented Ford pick-up truck through a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in an attack believed to be motivated by the Islamic State. Numerous individuals were injured in the truck assault, and Jabbar was fatally shot during a confrontation with law enforcement.
Despite wearing Meta glasses during the vehicular attack, Jabbar did not utilize the glasses to livestream his actions that day, as confirmed by Myrthil. The FBI discovered a black ISIS flag in the rented truck and determined that Jabbar had sworn allegiance to ISIS in online videos posted just hours before the attack.
Additional details have emerged connecting Jabbar to the incident. Prior to the attack, he set a fire on Mandeville Street before making his way to Bourbon Street, a move that was later theorized to serve as a diversionary tactic before executing the assault.
Security footage revealed that Jabbar had purchased ice chests in Texas on December 31, 2024, which he subsequently used to conceal improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before crossing into Louisiana and renting a residence. In the early hours of January 1, 2025, Jabbar strategically placed IEDs at two separate locations. Newly released video footage by the FBI captured him depositing one of the chests at Bourbon and Saint Peter Street and another at Bourbon and Toulouse Streets. However, his attempt to detonate the devices during the attack failed.
Joshua Jackson, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, elaborated on the failed detonation, stating, “He lacked a detonator, so he resorted to using an electric match as a substitute to trigger the explosive material. While this method is not unprecedented, what sets this apart is his misuse of the device, highlighting his inexperience and lack of understanding on how to properly activate the material.”
The New Orleans coroner’s office has identified all 14 victims of the attack, with ages ranging from 18 to 63, with the majority being in their 20s.
President Biden planned to visit New Orleans alongside First Lady Jill Biden on Monday to offer condolences and support to the affected families and community members in the aftermath of the tragic incident.
