Bourbon Street attacker acted alone, ‘evil act’ kills 14

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Authorities held a press conference Thursday morning (Jan. 2), providing updates on the Bourbon Street terror attack that claimed the lives of 14 victims and injured 35 others early New Year’s Day.

FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia confirmed that 14 victims died in the attack, along with the suspect, Shamsud Din Jabbar, bringing the total to 15 fatalities.

“This was a premeditated, evil act,” Raia told reporters.

Officials revealed that Jabbar posted five videos between 1:20 a.m. and 3:02 a.m. on New Year’s Day, proclaiming support for ISIS.

In the first video, Raia says Jabbar expressed a desire to kill his friends and family, but ultimately desired to target Bourbon Street so the media headlines would highlight what he called the war between “believers and disbelievers.”

Jabbar stated he joined ISIS before summer of 2024.

“He was one hundred percent inspired by ISIS,” Raia said.

Authorities say Jabbar rented a pickup truck in Houston on Dec. 30 and drove to New Orleans on Dec. 31. Surveillance video reportedly shows Jabbar planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers at two locations – the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans streets, and another two blocks away – before driving his truck into a crowd.

“It’s very hard to put into words and very hard to see,” Raia said, reflecting on the devastating scene.

The FBI confirmed that two viable IEDs were rendered safe by bomb technicians, while other reports of suspicious devices were determined to be unfounded or unviable. The public is not in danger, Raia assured.

Jabbar stayed at an Airbnb on Mandeville Street, where bomb-making materials were discovered. The house has been secured, and agents are conducting a thorough search for additional evidence.

Three cell phones tied to Jabbar and two laptops found at the Mandeville Street property are currently being processed.

TERROR ATTACK

Calls for Public Assistance

Authorities are asking anyone who was in the French Quarter on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to come forward, especially those who may have stopped near the coolers containing the IEDs. Raia emphasized that these individuals are not connected to the attack but could provide valuable information.

Raia clarified that early suspicions of co-conspirators were based on surveillance footage showing patrons briefly interacting with the coolers containing IEDs, but the FBI has since determined these individuals were uninvolved, confirming that Jabbar acted alone.

French Quarter Status

Bourbon Street remains closed to the public as local and federal officials conclude their investigation. Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the street would reopen around 30 minutes before the Sugar Bowl’s 3 p.m. kickoff.

Potential Link to Vegas Incident

The FBI is investigating a cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas for potential links to Jabbar. However, Raia cautioned that it is “very early in the investigation” and no definitive connection has been established.

Landry Tours Scene

Governor Jeff Landry arrived with law enforcement officials to survey the area of the Bourbon Street terror attack Thursday morning before the press conference.

“At the end of the day, we want New Orleans to get back to business…and we also want to remember all those who lost their lives on the street,” Landry said in an exclusive interview with Fox 8.

Standing from the freshly cleared area where 15 people died, including the suspect, and at least 35 were injured, Landry made the point the victims had come to Bourbon Street to celebrate. He said that it would be an additional tragedy if the tourist center couldn’t return to its usual status.

“What people need to understand is, that it’s a two-pronged operation,” Landry said. “We’ve got a football game to put on today and at the same time there’s an active investigation by the FBI on a constant basis.”

TERROR ATTACK

Landry said he will attend Thursday’s Sugar Bowl football game between Notre Dame and Georgia and that the city will be safe for visitors.

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