Following an investigation, the FBI has concluded that the suspect in the New Orleans New Year's Day attack acted alone, dismissing earlier suspicions of a link to the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of President-elect Trump's Las Vegas hotel. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, identified as the perpetrator of the New Orleans attack where a rented truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, was killed in a shootout with police. The attack resulted in 14 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Despite both Jabbar and the Las Vegas suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, having served at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News that their military service records reveal no connection between the two incidents. They were stationed at the base at different times, a fact underscored by the presence of over 50,000 service members at Fort Liberty.
While Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill initially suggested Jabbar may have had accomplices, the FBI has since discounted this theory. Evidence indicates Jabbar considered targeting his family and friends before deciding on a larger-scale attack for greater impact.
Prior to the attack, Jabbar shared videos on social media expressing allegiance to ISIS. He rented the truck used in the attack in Houston on Monday and drove to New Orleans on Tuesday. Investigators discovered firearms in Jabbar's vehicle and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers within the French Quarter, with footage obtained of Jabbar placing the devices. Additionally, police recovered firearms and two laptops believed to belong to Jabbar.
The FBI has confirmed to Congress that they had no prior knowledge of Jabbar before the attack. While Jabbar claimed inspiration from ISIS, no evidence suggests he was directed by the group. 37 victims received treatment at New Orleans hospitals following the attack.
Photo of Bourbon Street terrorist attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar. (@FBI via X)
Law enforcement officers at the scene on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
Law enforcement officers at the scene on Bourbon Street. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
Investigators at the scene on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Emergency services respond to the scene on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A Texas-born U.S. citizen, Jabbar served in the Army as a Human Resource and IT Specialist from 2007 to 2015, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He later worked at Deloitte, but experienced financial difficulties after two divorces. Authorities searched a New Orleans AirBnB and his Houston residence. Relatives reported Jabbar's erratic behavior in recent months.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. (Attorney General of Louisiana Liz Murrill)
The attack caused the postponement of the Sugar Bowl. President-elect Trump criticized the administration's handling of the situation, calling for CIA involvement and condemning Jabbar. He also linked the incident to the separate Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside his Las Vegas hotel, although any connection remains unverified.
A Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. (Wade Vandervort/AFP via Getty Images)
The FBI is investigating potential residences in Las Vegas and Denver related to the hotel bombing.
