The deadly terror attack in New Orleans’ crowded French Quarter was carried out by an attacker who acted alone authorities now say.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove around police barricades and onto a sidewalk, leaving at least 15 dead and 35 injured; he crashed and was killed in a shootout with three officers, according to the FBI. A U.S. citizen and Army veteran who once lived in Georgia, he was driving a rented pickup and carrying an ISIS flag, the FBI said.
“Those officers did not run in fear,” New Orleans police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said during a Wednesday news conference. “They did not run. They did kill the terrorist.”
On Thursday, the FBI updated previous statements and said investigators believe Jabbar acted alone.
“We are confident, at this point, that there is no accomplices,” the federal agency said Thursday. At a midday news conference on Wednesday, authorities said they believed the attacker was working with others.
Early Wednesday evening, FBI authorities in Houston, working with the Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, were “conducting law enforcement activity,” the agency said in a social media post. “This activity is related to this morning’s New Orleans attack.”
Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
President Joe Biden said Wednesday night that the suspect had posted on social media before the attack expressing sympathies for ISIS. He said law enforcement is also investigating any possible connection between the attacks in New Orleans and the explosion of a cybertruck in Las Vegas.
Biden offered his sympathy and support for New Orleans, “a city full of charm and joy.”
“So many people around the world love New Orleans because of its history, its culture and, above all, its people.” Biden said. “So I know while this person committed a terrible assault on the city, the spirit of New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated. It will always shine forth.”
The incident launched a massive investigation and happened as thousands of University of Georgia fans were in town for the team’s Sugar Bowl game against Notre Dame. A UGA student was among those injured. She was identified late Wednesday as Elle Eisele by her high school in Florida.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead said she was critically injured and that he has spoken with the family.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” Morehead said.
The playoff game was postponed from Wednesday evening to 4 p.m. Thursday.
Address records showed Jabbar, who was from Texas, previously lived in Georgia. He earned a bachelor of business administration degree in computer information systems from Georgia State University in 2017, officials confirmed.
“Weapons and a potential IED were located in the subject’s vehicle,” the FBI said. “Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter. The FBI’s special agent bomb technicians are working with our law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable, and they will work to render those devices safe.”
Jabbar deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, a U.S. Army spokesperson said.
Before the sun came up, Kirkpatrick and other city leaders held a news conference with preliminary details.
“It did involve a man driving a pickup truck down Bourbon Street at a very fast pace, and it was very intentional behavior,” Kirkpatrick said. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
The attacker exchanged gunfire with officers, striking two, police said. They were in stable condition and expected to recover.
“This is not just an act of terrorism,” Kirkpatrick said. “This is evil.”
Those injured were taken to several local hospitals and their conditions were not released Wednesday afternoon, pending notification of family members.
Kirkpatrick said every officer in the department was called in to assist with the investigation, and that increased security measures were already in place.
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in the FBI’s New Orleans office, said Wednesday afternoon there were few details she could release regarding the active investigation. Investigators are asking for the public’s help, and in particular want to speak with anyone who may have come in contact with Jabbar.
The French Quarter area remained closed during the investigation. Law enforcement agents conducted sweeps throughout the area, and bomb-sniffing dogs were also clearing the Caesars Superdome.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., also spoke during the afternoon news conference, pledging to push federal investigators for answers.
“I wish I understood why bad things happen to good people,” he said. “If I make it to heaven, I’m gonna ask.”
Kennedy said he wants investigators to find those responsible.
“Catch these people,” he said. “Catch these people and then tell the American people the truth.”
Officials stressed that the city was safe and would be for the Sugar Bowl.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called it a “horrific act of violence” in a social media post. He said he is issuing an executive order stating that the state’s flags will fly at half-staff Thursday.
— Staff writers Jozsef Papp, Ken Suguira and Greg Bluestein contributed to this article.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION
The FBI has set up a digital tip line for anyone with information or video of the incident. They can be submitted online at fbi.gov/bourbonstreetattack or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
