Driver in Ramming Attack Made Trips to New Orleans and Abroad

Months before the individual responsible for the New Orleans terror attack drove a truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day, he was seen cycling through the same area. Investigators revealed on Sunday that he used eyeglasses with a built-in camera to record videos of the intended target. He returned a few weeks later, likely to further his preparations.https://wordpress.com/

These revelations shed light on the attacker’s methodical planning. The attack claimed 14 lives, injured many others, and left New Orleans grappling with grief and fear at the start of 2025.

Authorities are working to piece together a detailed timeline of the attacker’s actions leading up to the incident. This includes his final preparations, such as loading firearms into a rented truck and placing explosive devices in coolers near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. Investigators are also examining the attacker’s past, aiming to understand how a 42-year-old Army veteran with a well-paying job at an international accounting firm became radicalized, aligning himself with the Islamic State (ISIS).

Investigators revealed that the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had traveled to Egypt and Canada in 2023. However, they have not yet determined whether these trips influenced his radicalization or were connected to his attack planning.

“We’re tracking his movements, contacts, and the possible role these trips played,” said Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI’s New Orleans special agent in charge, during a press briefing.

Despite the tragedy, New Orleans has begun to recover, reopening Bourbon Street and preparing for upcoming events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. On Saturday, a vigil on Bourbon Street featured a traditional second-line parade. President Biden is set to visit the city on Monday.

“Only through prayer and faith can we overcome this pain,” said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Sunday, referring to the impact on victims’ families and the community.

The attack ended when Jabbar died in a shootout with police, during which two officers were injured. Officials commended the rapid police response, which likely prevented further casualties.

Jabbar’s radicalization and allegiance to ISIS shocked those who knew him. His rented Ford F-150 truck bore the ISIS flag, and he left a video message for his family stating, “I joined ISIS earlier this year.” While investigators believe Jabbar acted alone, they are still examining any deeper connections he may have had to the terrorist group. His specific choice of New Orleans as a target remains unclear.

Christopher Raia, an FBI counterterrorism official, described individuals like Jabbar—radicalized online and acting alone or in small groups—as a significant threat due to their unpredictability and accessibility to common weapons.

“They are difficult to detect, investigate, and stop,” Raia said at the briefing.

Officials are also investigating Jabbar’s movements during his visits to New Orleans in October and November, including his use of a bicycle-mounted camera and his second trip to the city. They discovered that Jabbar left two crude explosive devices in coolers near the attack site. Although his bomb-making skills were limited, officials believe the devices could have been effective.

Authorities deactivated the devices shortly after the attack, noting that one cooler had been unknowingly moved by visitors. Jabbar had also rented a house in New Orleans, where he left bomb-making materials and set a fire before heading to the French Quarter. The fire extinguished itself before firefighters arrived.

The investigation continues, with authorities focusing on understanding Jabbar’s radicalization and identifying any additional threats.