NEW ORLEANS (NewsNation) — At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Streets early Wednesday morning in what the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism.
Law enforcement is still searching the area for improvised explosive devices, which were among weapons found in the suspect’s vehicle, according to the FBI. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.
Officials are also conducting searches in “a number” of states following the attacks, a late Wednesday statement from the FBI confirmed.
The Associated Press reported that investigators have reviewed video of three men and a woman placing possible explosives in the area where Wednesday’s attack took place.
In a Wednesday evening address, President Joe Biden said investigating agencies are looking into any possible ties between the Louisiana attack and a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel on Wednesday morning.
Suspect Identified in NOLA attacks
The FBI confirmed Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been identified as the man who was shot and killed by police after the deadly New Year’s Day attack.
Jabbar was part of the regular Army from March 2007 to January 2015 as a human resource specialist (42A) and information technology specialist (25B) before transitioning to the Army Reserve as an IT specialist from January 2015 to July 2020.
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010 and held the rank of staff sergeant at the time of his discharge, according to the spokesperson.
The agency said that Jabbar is a U.S. resident from Texas.
FBI Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are carrying out a “court-authorized search” on the north side of Houston. The agency has not directly confirmed that search has anything to do with Jabbar, though multiple outlets report a person surrendering with hands raised outside a home Wednesday afternoon.
FBI officials said at a news conference Wednesday that investigators do not believe Jabbar acted alone in the attack.
The agency said that a “range of suspects” is being sought in connection to the attack and asked anyone who had been in contact with Jabbar in the 24 hours leading up to the attack to contact the FBI.
Biden confirmed Wednesday evening that Jabbar posted videos to social media talking about ISIS just hours before the attack took place.
Imam Fahmee Al-Uqdah, who says he has known Jabbar’s family for decades, told NewsNation that the family is shocked and they’re saddened and very surprised and embarrassed, all at the same time.”
Airbnb rental potentially tied to Shamsud-Din Jabbar
FBI special agents confirmed to NewsNation that a St. Roch Airbnb located just 1.5 miles from where the attack took place is a FBI crime scene. It was potentially rented by Jabbar.
Despite heavy law enforcement presence, they have not confirmed a connection to the suspect of the Bourbon Street attack.
A fire broke out at the rental early Wednesday morning, leaving dozens of people to evacuate. They were asked to leave around 8 a.m.
NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello spoke to witnesses on the scene who say they noticed a white pickup truck parked in the driveway recently, but no one reported seeing Jabbar.
Wylie Whitesides, who lives just two doors down from the Airbnb, tells NewsNation that he’s “90% sure” he saw Jabbar at the Airbnb. Whitesides added that when he crossed paths with the guest, he got a “sketchy feeling.”
Whitesides has spoken to the FBI and shared the same information.
Another neighbor told NewsNation he’s seen about 40 law enforcement officials throughout the day as the investigation continues down the street.
Other enforcement agencies near the Airbnb included Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Orleans police and fire squads. NewsNation has reached out to Airbnb for more information.
Deadly Bourbon Street attack
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said two police officers were shot in what Mayor LaToya Cantrell described earlier Wednesday as a “terrorist attack.” The FBI said it is “the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
“Our focus is on keeping our citizens safe,” Cantrell said at the news conference.
The New Orleans Police Department said officers responded to reports of a vehicle driving into a crowd at 3:17 a.m. Multiple people were hit before the vehicle crashed.
After the vehicle came to a stop, New Orleans police say the suspect opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was shot and declared dead on the scene, authorities said.
The FBI said that it would issue a statement about the victims once their families have been notified.
The FBI said Jabbar was driving a Ford pickup truck that appeared to have been rented. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Turo, the rental car company, said it was not currently aware of anything in Jabbar’s background that would have identified him as a threat when he rented the truck.
Investigators said an ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.
The incident came toward the end of New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans and hours before the kickoff of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal held in the city’s Caesars Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.
Officials said Wednesday that the game between Notre Dame and Georgia would be postponed for 24 hours and be played Thursday night.
Potential IEDs found in French Quarter
An IED is a bomb or explosive device that is designed to cause damage or destruction to people or property.
The FBI’s special agent bomb technicians are working with law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable, and they will work to render those devices safe.
The White House said President Biden was briefed multiple times on the attack and has been in touch with Mayor Cantrell.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry addressed the situation in a social media post Wednesday morning:
“A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area,” he said.
Landry said at the news conference Wednesday that the state will bring all necessary resources available to the state. The governor said state and federal agencies were expected to be sent to New Orleans before the city hosts the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
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New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Emergency services attend the scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
The scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
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Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Superintendent of Police for the New Orleans Police Department Anne Kirkpatrick makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
But in the wake of Wednesday’s attack, Landry said that federal agencies, along with military police troops, would be sent to New Orleans to “get this city safe.”
Louisiana U.S. Senator John Kennedy said that the act of evil should “trigger the gag reflex of every fair-minded American.” Kennedy said he had spoken with federal officials about what he expects from government agencies assigned to investigate the attack.
“Catch these people and then tell the American people the truth,” Kennedy said at the news conference.
Kennedy added that he wanted information about who was behind the attack when it was appropriate and when the release of more details would not interfere with the investigation. Kennedy said that he would “raise fresh hell” if answers were not provided about those responsible.
City Councilmember Oliver Thomas told NewsNation he had been visiting victims and first responders at the emergency room.
“Our main concern right now is the condition of the victims … the officers who are involved in this grave, very unfortunate act,” he said.
As the investigation continues, people in New Orleans have been urged to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Street and also east of Royal Street to west to Dauphine Street. Anyone looking to connect with loved ones believed to have been in the area at the time of the incident is urged to call 311, not 911.
Biden, Trump react to New Orleans attack
Biden, in a statement, mourned the loss of the victims.
“I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” it read in part.
President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement grieving the victims and praising law enforcement.
“The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” it read in part.
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement that said her thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“Last night should have been a joyous celebration of the new year. Instead, a horrific incident occurred that left the New Orleans community mourning.
Harris added: “Any attack on any of our communities is reprehensible and unacceptable.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
