UPDATE: New Orleans Attack Victims: Investigators Seek to Uncover Suspect’s Egypt Travel Details
Authorities are investigating the travel history of the suspect involved in the New Orleans attack, particularly his time in Egypt, to determine any possible ties to radicalization. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams emphasized the importance of understanding whether the suspect was radicalized before or during his trip to Egypt.
The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, tragically drove a pickup truck into pedestrians on Bourbon Street before opening fire on police officers. Surveillance footage revealed that he had placed explosive devices in the area, but fortunately, they were safely neutralized. Investigators also discovered bomb-making materials at Jabbar’s residence in Houston.
In the aftermath of the attack, law enforcement agencies have been vigilant for potential copycat incidents using vehicles to cause harm. A joint intelligence bulletin issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security urged law enforcement nationwide to be alert for any suspicious activities that may indicate a similar threat.
The investigation is now focused on uncovering Jabbar’s path to radicalization and the events leading up to the attack. Authorities are working diligently to piece together the suspect’s motives and any potential accomplices involved in the tragic incident.
Recent: Texan suspect’s residence yields bomb-making materialsA report highlights ISIS’ promotion of vehicular terrorism since 2014. In light of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, ISIS has escalated calls for low-tech, high-casualty ramming attacks in recent months, as per sources to ABC News. Additionally, the FBI has disclosed the timeline of the New Orleans attacker, Shamsud-Dim Jabbar. Although inspired by ISIS, no accomplices have been identified thus far, according to a senior law enforcement official. Notably, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the New Orleans incident.The bulletin cautions law enforcement about attackers potentially using secondary weapons post vehicle-ramming assaults. The tactic’s simplicity makes it a likely choice for foreign terrorist organizations, as mentioned in the notice. The intel bulletin from the NYPD reveals online celebrations by ISIS sympathizers following the New Orleans attack. Extremists perceive crowded public spaces and events as high-risk targets and advocate for preemptive security measures like blocker cars, barriers, and bollards.Police reopened Bourbon Street after the incident for the Sugar Bowl game, with Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressing confidence in the area’s safety. President Biden and the first lady are set to visit New Orleans to meet with victims’ families and community members. The FBI has stated no direct link between the New Orleans incident and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas.
The investigation into Spect’s travel to Egypt first surfaced on abcnews.go.com.
