FBI Confirms Shamsud-Din Jabbar Visited New Orleans Twice Before New Year's Truck Attack

The individual behind the New Orleans truck attack on New Year's Day, which resulted in 14 fatalities, had visited the city twice before. During these visits, Shamsud-Din Jabbar recorded videos of the French Quarter using hands-free glasses, according to an FBI official. Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Houston, also travelled to Cairo and Ontario before the incident. However, it remains unclear if these trips were linked to the attack.

Jabbar's actions on Wednesday morning led to a deadly crash on Bourbon Street, a well-known area in New Orleans' historic French Quarter. The former U.S. Army soldier was shot dead by police during a gunfight at the scene. "The coroners office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as 'blunt force injuries'," officials stated.

Investigation Uncovers Bomb-Making Materials

Authorities discovered bomb-making materials at Jabbar's Houston home, including a workbench and hazardous substances believed to be used for explosives. In the neighbourhood of the attack, crude bombs were found, with two improvised explosive devices left in coolers several blocks apart. These were safely defused at the scene.

Jabbar had reserved the truck used in the attack over six weeks prior, on November 14. Law enforcement officials revealed that he purchased a cooler in Vidor, Texas, and gun oil from Sulphur, Louisiana, just hours before the incident. A transmitter intended to trigger bombs was found in his rental truck.

Security Measures Intensified Ahead of Super Bowl

In response to the attack, police have blocked traffic at Bourbon and Canal streets using multiple vehicles and barricades. Other law enforcement agencies are assisting city officers with enhanced security measures. The first parade of the Carnival season is set for Monday, with New Orleans hosting the Super Bowl on February 9.

Previously installed steel columns known as bollards were meant to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street but became unreliable due to debris from Mardi Gras celebrations. These will be replaced ahead of the Super Bowl for added security.

Victims Identified and Community Mourns

The victims of the attack included an 18-year-old aspiring nurse, a single mother, a father of two, and a former Princeton University football star. The youngest victim was 18 years old, while the oldest was 63. Among them was Edward Pettifer from west London, identified by London's Metropolitan Police.

Pettifer was reportedly the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who served as nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry during their childhood. At a vigil held on Saturday, LaTasha Polk was named as one of the final victims; she was a mother and nursing assistant in her 40s.

Suspect's Allegiance to Islamic State Group

Before carrying out the attack, Jabbar expressed support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos. This incident marks one of the deadliest IS-inspired attacks on U.S. soil in recent years. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighted an increase in homegrown violent extremism over the past decade.

"The country faces 'not only the persistent threat of foreign terrorism ... for the past ten years,'" Mayorkas said during an interview with ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Jabbar attempted to set fire to his rented New Orleans home using accelerants but failed as firefighters arrived before significant damage occurred.

During his confrontation with police after crashing his truck, Jabbar wore a ballistic vest and helmet while firing at officers. At least two officers were injured before Jabbar was fatally shot by police. The number of shots fired by both parties remains undisclosed due to an ongoing investigation.

The New Orleans police have not confirmed whether any bystanders were hit during this exchange of gunfire. Stella Cziment from the city's Office of Independent Police Monitor stated that investigators are working diligently to account for every bullet fired and determine if any struck bystanders.

President Joe Biden plans to visit New Orleans with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday to offer condolences to families affected by this tragic event. University Medical Centre New Orleans reported that 13 individuals remain hospitalised following the attack; eight are currently in intensive care.