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New Orleans Attack: Terrorist Planted IEDs In French Quarter, Carried Detonator With Him

January 3, 2025, 4:11 pm

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the assailant behind this deadly New Year’s Day Bourbon Street attack in New Orleans, had planned the destruction on an even larger scale, the FBI said.

Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath:

On January 1, 2025, Jabbar drove his rented Ford F-150 Lightning truck into a crowd in the French Quarter, killing 14 and injuring over 35 others. The police shot and killed Jabbar shortly after the attack. Later, investigators discovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted in ice coolers at nearby locations in the district. The devices were connected to a remote detonator, which Jabbar had in his vehicle during the attack.

FBI Investigation and Findings:

The FBI confirms that Jabbar, born in Texas and a veteran of the Army, was completely motivated by ISIS. The flag of ISIS was discovered in his truck. Hours before carrying out the attack, he published videos on his Facebook stating support for the group and a preview of violence to be unleashed soon.

According to Christopher Raia, FBI deputy assistant director for counterterrorism, Jabbar’s actions were “100% inspired” by ISIS. A video showed that Jabbar belonged to the Islamic State and included his last will. He also mentioned earlier plans to attack his family, but he desisted because of fear of being misquoted in the media.

Evidence of Bomb-Making Materials and Radicalization:

Jabbar left his trailer home in North Houston saying that he was heading for New Orleans for a new job, but investigators later searched the house where FBI agents found bomb-making materials and chemical residues besides a Quran that had opened at a verse where it mentioned committing violence in the name of Allah. Other elements included radicalism were in his home with prayer rug and a keffiyeh.

EXCLUSIVE TOUR of the NOLA terrorists home—-

where we found a bomb-making station and a Quran open to a chilling passage about martyrdom @nypost https://t.co/LKV7npCOE5 pic.twitter.com/a1znIURjyM

— Jennie Taer ?️ (@JennieSTaer) January 2, 2025

Personal Background:

Jabbar was married thrice, with two children from one marriage, and his last marriage was also from the year 2022. Authorities continue their investigation of his personal life and motives.

The sad events in New Orleans reveal Jabbar’s dangerous radicalization and the possibility of attacks at a much bigger scale, raising concerns over the increasing ISIS-inspired people.

US Army Veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar Identified as Prime Suspect in New Orleans Attack

January 2, 2025, 12:59 pm

New Orleans police have identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as the prime suspect in the deadly New Year’s attack that claimed 15 lives. Authorities revealed on Wednesday that Jabbar, a former US Army staff sergeant, served 13 years in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Federal and local law enforcement suspect Jabbar did not act alone and are actively pursuing potential accomplices.

Links to the Military and Past Employment

Jabbar served as a human resources and IT specialist in the US Army from 2007 to 2015 before transitioning to the Army Reserve, where he served until 2020. Records also indicate he briefly enlisted in the US Navy in 2004 under a delayed entry program but was discharged within a month.

In recent years, Jabbar was involved in several business ventures, including a real estate company, Blue Meadow Properties LLC, where he served as a manager. A promotional video from 2020 showed Jabbar discussing his military background and career in real estate.

Personal History and Legal Issues

Jabbar, born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, had minor legal infractions before his military service, including theft and driving with an invalid license. Divorced twice, he faced personal challenges, including strained relationships with his daughters from his second marriage.

Investigation and Potential Motive

The FBI described the incident as a “potential act of terror” after discovering an Islamic State flag in Jabbar’s truck. Authorities are working to uncover possible motives and any connections to extremist groups.

Behavioral Changes Noted

Jabbar reportedly converted to Islam “at some point,” according to Dwayne Marsh, the husband of Jabbar’s second ex-wife. Marsh described Jabbar’s behavior as increasingly erratic, leading the family to limit his contact with his children.

Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation unfolds, law enforcement agencies are piecing together Jabbar’s recent activities and potential connections to the New Orleans attack. The case has raised questions about post-service transitions for veterans and their mental health.

New Orleans Tragedy: Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s ISIS Influence Revealed Before Deadly Truck Rampage

January 2, 2025, 10:34 am

US President Joe Biden expressed outrage and sorrow on Wednesday over the deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people. The assailant, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US Army veteran, drove a Ford F-150 truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, causing chaos and panic. According to the FBI, Jabbar had posted videos online hours before the attack, claiming to be inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS) and expressing a desire to kill.

Biden Describes the Attack as “Despicable”

Speaking from Camp David, President Biden described the attack as “despicable” and extended his condolences to the victims and their families. “Our nation grieves with you as you mourn and heal,” Biden said in his statement, stressing that there is “no justification for violence of any kind.”

FBI Investigation and Shocking Findings

The FBI reported that Jabbar’s vehicle was decorated with an ISIS flag and contained possible explosives. Investigators also discovered pipe bombs in coolers, one of which was placed by three men and a woman, according to a Louisiana State Police bulletin. However, the FBI has yet to confirm these details.

The investigation continues, with the FBI working to determine Jabbar’s potential connections to terrorist organisations.

Chaos on Bourbon Street: A Scene of Carnage

The attack sent shockwaves through New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street, turning what should have been a festive celebration into a horrific scene of bloodied bodies, screaming bystanders, and destruction. Witnesses described the truck barreling through the crowd, flinging people into the air.

Zion Parsons, an 18-year-old from Gulfport, Mississippi, recalled seeing the carnage, saying, “Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering.”

FBI Finds Explosives and Guns in Attacker’s Vehicle

Authorities reported that multiple improvised explosives were discovered in Jabbar’s vehicle, including pipe bombs wired for remote detonation. Additionally, investigators recovered a handgun and an AR-style rifle, though the specifics of Jabbar’s associates remain unclear.

Links to Other Attacks? Investigation Expands

President Biden addressed the explosion involving a Cybertruck in Las Vegas, which occurred around the same time as the New Orleans attack. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, suggested a possible connection between the two incidents, claiming they could both be linked to terrorism. However, authorities have not confirmed this theory.

Ongoing Investigation and Global Attention

The tragic events in New Orleans and the unfolding investigation have garnered global attention, with the US government vowing to uncover the full details of the attack. As investigations continue, the world awaits further developments in this chilling case.

Death Toll Rises to 15 in New Orleans “Act of Terrorism” After Car Rams Crowd on Bourbon Street

January 2, 2025, 7:00 am

The death toll in the New Orleans “act of terrorism” has risen to at least 15, following a car ramming into a crowd on Bourbon Street early Wednesday, according to CNN. In an official statement, New Orleans Coroner Dwight McKenna said, “As of now, 15 people are deceased. It will take several days to perform all autopsies. Once we complete the autopsies and talk with the next of kin, we will release the identifications of the victims.”
McKenna informed that the New Orleans Police Department is closely working with the FBI and Homeland Security in investigating this attack.
The FBI earlier described the attack as “an act of terrorism” and revealed that the driver, Shamsud Din Jabbar, had an ISIS flag and multiple suspected explosive devices in his vehicle. The FBI also added that the vehicle was rented from a car-rental platform called Turo.
Moreover, the FBI had previously stated that it does not believe Shamsud Din Jabbar, the driver who carried out the New Orleans attack, was “solely responsible” for the “act of terrorism.”
Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said the investigation is “aggressively running down every lead, including those concerning Jabbar’s known associates.”
“That’s why we need the public’s help. We’re asking if anybody has had any interactions with Shamsud Din Jabbar in the last 72 hours to contact us,” she said during a news conference.
“The FBI is asking for the public’s help. We’re asking anyone who has information, videos, or pictures to provide it to the FBI,” she added.
Duncan also mentioned that an ISIS flag was found on the trailer hitch of the vehicle used by Jabbar. The FBI is working to determine Jabbar’s “potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations,” she said.
The FBI has identified Shamsud Din Jabbar as a US citizen from Texas, and officials confirmed he had previously served in the U.S. military, according to a CNN report.
In a statement on X, the FBI wrote, “This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others. The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”

Elon Musk Alleges Link Between Cybertruck Explosions in Las Vegas and New Orleans

January 2, 2025, 6:50 am

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday suggested a link between the Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and a similar incident in New Orleans, noting that both vehicles were rented from the car-sharing platform Turo. “Appears likely to be an act of terrorism. Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way,” Musk wrote on X.
The explosion in Las Vegas killed one person and injured seven others according to a CNN report. The Tesla CEO clarified on X that the explosion was caused by fireworks or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck, not by the vehicle itself. He also noted that the truck had been rented from Turo, alleging at a connection with the New Orleans attack, where, according to CNN, a suspect rammed into a crowd during New Year’s celebrations with a Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck rented from the same site.
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself,” Musk wrote on X.
According to CNN, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said a vehicle fire was reported at the hotel just after 8:40 am. Crews arrived to find a 2024 Cybertruck engulfed in flames, he said.

“There is one deceased individual inside the Cybertruck and I don’t know whether it is a male or a female at this time,” McMahill said. Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Las Vegas, also confirmed that his team is involved in the investigation. According to US officials, the explosives contained in the Cybertruck were fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel, which were connected to detonation system controlled by the driver, CNN reported.

Authorities are exploring any connection between the explosion and the attack in New Orleans, where a suspect rammed into a crowd with a truck rented on Turo, killing 15 people.

Driver Intent on Hitting Multiple People: Authorities Investigate New Orleans Attack

January 1, 2025, 10:47 pm

A man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a gathering of New Year’s celebrants in New Orleans, seeking to “run over as many individuals as he possibly could,” according to US authorities. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick mentioned that the driver “was determined to cause the destruction and the harm that he inflicted,” with the unfortunate result claiming at least 10 lives in the southern city. The driver’s current condition and location were not immediately known. Although the incident is not classified as a terrorist attack, Kirkpatrick remarked that the truck was operated at “very high speed” and with “very deliberate” actions. The FBI will assume control of the investigation. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the act as a “terrible act of violence. ”

The assault transpired just before a significant football event, the Sugar Bowl, which would have drawn large crowds. New Orleans, one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the US, had increased security for the New Year’s celebration, with the city’s police department fully staffed and an extra 300 officers dispatched from various law enforcement organizations. The French Quarter, a favored location for New Year’s celebrations, had provided special promotions, including LGBTQ parties and drag shows, close to where the attack took place.

Tragedy in New Orleans: Car Plows into Crowd, Leaving 10 Dead and 30 Injured

January 1, 2025, 8:46 pm

At least 10 people lost their lives, and 30 more were injured when a vehicle plowed into a crowd in New Orleans’ vibrant tourist district during the early hours of New Year’s Day. Reports suggest that the driver of the vehicle later opened fire.

The New Orleans disaster response team, Nola Ready, described the event as a “mass casualty incident,” occurring at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a significant site in the city’s French Quarter famous for its lively nightlife.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell referred to the situation as a “terrorist attack” and confirmed that inquiries are underway. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick classified the act as “very intentional behavior,” asserting, “This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could. He was determined to cause the havoc and the destruction that he did. ”

Law enforcement officials revealed that the driver, who was operating a pickup truck, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police. Witness accounts reported by CBS News and CNN indicated that the suspect fired a weapon before police intervened.

Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent with the FBI’s New Orleans field office, noted that authorities were looking into a suspected improvised explosive device discovered at the site. The area from Bourbon Street to St. Ann has been cordoned off, with residents instructed to stay away. Kirkpatrick emphasized, “We do not want anyone on Bourbon Street today. ”

The assault led to two police officers being wounded, both of whom are currently in stable condition. It is believed that the majority of those injured are local residents. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry denounced the incident as “a horrific act of violence” and urged people to avoid the area.

In the wake of the assault, law enforcement agencies flooded the French Quarter, closing off parts of Bourbon Street while searching for additional threats. Witnesses described scenes of chaos. Kevin Garcia, a 22-year-old bystander, shared with CNN, “All I saw was a truck crashing into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk. A body came flying at me. ” He also mentioned hearing gunfire.

Another bystander, Jay McGuffey, visiting from Mississippi, stated, “We were just having fun, celebrating New Year’s, and then they told us to leave because somebody had been shot. Then we heard that a truck had come through here, and 15 people had been shot. ”

As the city prepared for the Sugar Bowl, a prominent college football event, New Orleans law enforcement ensured full staffing for safety. Despite these precautions, the tragedy unfolded, casting a pall over the New Year celebrations.

New Orleans Horror: Truck Rampage And Gunfire Leave 10 Dead, 30 Injured

January 1, 2025, 5:50 pm

At least 10 people were killed, and 30 were injured after a truck struck a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday, said city officials.

Eyewitnesses said the truck drove into the crowd, creating a commotion before the driver got out of the truck and started shooting a gun. Police responded to the suspect, firing back.

The New Orleans Police Department was not available to speak with CBS News, but according to its spokespeople, the initial reports show a car may have crashed into a group of people, with injuries and confirmed fatalities still under assessment.

Authorities have not provided any more information regarding the incident, and the police department has not returned any additional queries.

The tragic event has left the community shaken as investigations continue. The situation is expected to be updated, including the identity of the driver and motives, as officials gather more information.

Building Collapse in New Orleans: What Happened and What’s Next

December 31, 2024, 12:42 pm

On Monday, December 30, around 5:45 pm, a building collapsed at the intersection of Magazine and Felicity Streets in New Orleans. Two cars were crushed, and 300 people lost power.

Emergency Response Underway

Emergency crews are at the scene, working to assess the situation. However, it is still unclear how much damage has occurred and whether anyone was injured.

Transformer Damage Clarified

A nearby Entergy transformer was damaged during the collapse. However, Entergy New Orleans clarified that the transformer was not the cause of the collapse. “A structure collapse at the corner of Magazine and Felicity caused damage to Entergy equipment, including a transformer — which created the flash seen by those nearby,” an Entergy spokesperson said. “To be clear: the transformer was impacted by the building collapse; it was not the cause. Entergy crews are on site and working with public safety agencies to secure the location.”

Impact on Local Business

Gris-Gris, a nearby restaurant, announced on Facebook that it is temporarily closed and partially without power due to the collapse.

Previous Collapses in the City

This collapse marks the third in New Orleans within the past four months. Earlier this month, a building collapsed partially in the Central Business District, causing traffic disruptions. In October, a fire in Hastings Place caused major damage to another building.

The building collapse has raised concerns over safety in the area. Emergency teams continue to manage the response and assess the damage.

Taylor Swift Brings A Short N’ Sweet Surprise For Fans During Eras Tour In New Orleans

October 27, 2024, 12:19 pm

Taylor Swift surprised her fans with a unique twist during her Eras Tour concert in New Orleans on Saturday night, thrilling the crowd with an unexpected guest appearance. Wearing an orange outfit, she announced a change to her surprise set: instead of singing one of her own songs, she would perform one by a special guest. Swift then started playing Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter, sending the 65,000 fans into a frenzy.

Sabrina Carpenter On The Floor

Before starting the song, Swift told the audience, “I think tonight I’m going to do something completely different, which is that I’m going to sing a song that’s not mine, but it’s somebody that I really love.” After hearing the crowd’s enthusiastic response, she added, “So you really love that song as much as I do?” Swift continued, “I know I’m just going on a tangent because I love my friend, and I’m just so proud of Sabrina and the year she’s had.”

Swift then pulled out her phone, calling Carpenter on speaker and saying, “I’m really somewhere really loud, I’m in New Orleans on the Eras Tour.” She added, “I just wanted to call and tell you that I sang a little bit of Espresso and they said every word so loud. And I just wanted to say we all love you so much. What are you doing? Why aren’t you here with us?” Carpenter replied from her own location, “I’m somewhere where everyone is screaming so loud.” Swift playfully asked, “Can you come down to the stadium real quick? Ballpark, how long would that take you?” Carpenter teased back, saying, “It would probably take me five seconds,” and as fans cheered, Carpenter made a surprise entrance onto the stage, as reported by USA Today.

A Duet to Remember

The two pop stars launched into an acoustic rendition of Espresso, and after the first chorus, Carpenter exclaimed, “Holy Sh**, New Orleans!” Swift then joined in on the next verse, saying, “Can I do it?” before diving into the lyrics, “I’m working late, ’cause I’m a singer.” Following this, they continued with Is It Over Now and Please Please Please from Carpenter’s latest album.

Watch:

Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter performing ‘Espresso’ together at the Eras Tour in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/W7aUOD7ef6

— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 27, 2024

Swift wrapped up by expressing gratitude to Carpenter for her surprise performance, saying, “She had literally one day off. She is on tour. This is crazy she came to perform for us. Will you please give it up for Sabrina Carpenter?” Carpenter exited the stage amid applause as Swift moved to her piano to begin a mashup of Hits Different and Welcome to New York.