Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man behind the New Orleans truck attack that claimed 14 lives and injured 30 on New Year’s Day, had visited the city twice before the tragedy, recording videos of the French Quarter using hands-free glasses. The FBI revealed these details in an ongoing investigation.
Suspect’s Travel History
Jabbar, a US citizen from Houston, had also traveled abroad before the attack. FBI Special Agent Lyonel Myrthil disclosed that Jabbar visited Cairo, Egypt, in June 2023 and later flew to Ontario, Canada, in July 2023. “Our agents are working to uncover where he went, who he met with, and how these trips might relate to his actions in New Orleans,” Myrthil stated.
ISIS Connection
The FBI confirmed Jabbar pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) in online videos posted hours before the attack. This incident marks the deadliest ISIS-inspired assault on US soil in years, raising concerns about a resurgence of international terrorism.
Details of the Attack
Jabbar used a pickup truck to plow through crowds in New Orleans’s bustling French Quarter, killing 14 people. Police neutralized him on-site. The attack coincided with a separate incident in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel, killing its driver.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal officials are examining Jabbar’s international travels, interactions, and potential connections to terror networks. Authorities aim to determine whether his trips to Cairo and Ontario had direct links to the planning or execution of the New Orleans attack.
Implications for National Security
The attack has highlighted growing concerns about the re-emergence of ISIS-inspired terrorism in the United States. Federal agencies are ramping up counter-terrorism efforts to address the threat posed by radicalized individuals.
