“Myrthil mentioned that Meta glasses resemble regular eyewear but enable users to capture videos and photos hands-free,” stated Myrthil. “Moreover, they offer users the potential to livestream through their video feed.” Jabbar was seen wearing the glasses during his assault on New Year’s Day, although they were not active for a livestream, as confirmed by Myrthil. There was no evidence to suggest that he was recording the attack, even though the glasses were recovered from Jabbar at the scene.
A compilation of video clips, including Jabbar testing the glasses in a mirror and surveillance footage of him in the vicinity before the truck incident, was shared online by the FBI. Images of bystanders were intentionally blurred by the FBI. The 42-year-old suspect met his demise in a shootout with law enforcement after driving a rented truck through the bustling strip in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Investigators also discovered that he had planted two homemade explosive devices in the area before the assault, both of which failed to detonate.
Authorities suspect that Jabbar was responsible for setting fire to a short-term rental property on Mandeville Street in New Orleans, where materials for making explosives were uncovered. Video footage revealed Jabbar placing an improvised explosive device in a cooler at Bourbon and St. Peter Streets at 1:53 a.m., which was subsequently relocated by unidentified individuals.
“As per our investigative findings thus far, it appears that these individuals unwittingly moved the cooler from place to place without awareness of its contents,” remarked Myrthil. Approximately 30 minutes later, Jabbar placed another explosive device in a different bucket-style cooler. Additionally, two firearms were seized during the inquiry: a semiautomatic pistol and a rifle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that the .308-caliber rifle was obtained through a private sale in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 19.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen born in Texas and an Army veteran, professed in online videos that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS earlier in the year. The FBI affirmed that he acted alone in the New Year’s Day incident and that there is no evidence indicating he had assistance from individuals based in the U.S.
Myrthil disclosed to the press on Sunday that the FBI is actively investigating Jabbar’s connections, both domestically and internationally. Of particular interest is Jabbar’s trip to Cairo in 2023 and another journey to Canada about a week after his return. “Our agents are diligently seeking information regarding his travels, contacts, and how these trips may be linked to his activities in our city of New Orleans,” Myrthil elucidated.
