Washington, D.C. [US]: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Thursday that the perpetrator of the New Orleans attack, Shamsud Din Jabbar, acted as a lone wolf terrorist with no known accomplices and expressed allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).
In a press conference, Deputy Assistant FBI Director Christopher Raia revealed that Jabbar had shared videos on social media declaring his support for ISIS. The attacker had expressed concerns that if he only targeted his family and friends, the incident would fail to spotlight the “war between the believers and disbelievers.”
Detailing the timeline leading up to the attack, Raia stated, “Investigators believe Jabbar rented an F-150 pickup truck in Houston, Texas, on December 30. He then drove from Houston to New Orleans on the evening of December 31. During this time, he posted several videos on an online platform proclaiming his support for ISIS.”
Raia explained that Jabbar uploaded five videos to his Facebook account, where he admitted he had initially planned to harm his family and friends but reconsidered, fearing the act would not highlight his intended message. “Additionally, he stated he had joined ISIS earlier in the summer and provided a will and testament,” Raia added.
An ISIS flag and suspected explosive devices were found in Jabbar’s vehicle.
The attack occurred on Bourbon Street during New Year’s celebrations, where a vehicle plowed into a crowd, killing at least 14 people. While initial reports from the New Orleans Coroner suggested 15 fatalities, the FBI confirmed the death toll as 14.
According to Raia, preliminary evidence indicated that Jabbar was heavily influenced by ISIS propaganda, showcasing the alarming trend of individual radicalization. “This was an act of terrorism,” Raia said. “It was premeditated and an evil act.”
The FBI continues to investigate Jabbar’s “path to radicalization,” with evidence strongly pointing to ISIS as his source of inspiration.
Earlier, President Joe Biden assured that every available resource was being utilized to protect the public and support the investigation. “I directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and ensure there is no remaining threat to the American people,” Biden stated.