Two attacks in separate cities celebrating the New Year on Wednesday left more than a dozen people dead in one city alone, New Orleans, and shocked Americans. Both attacks involved rental cars. In New Orleans, a man drove his white pickup truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring 35 more. The assailant was also shot and killed, bringing the total number of deaths to 15. In Las Vegas, a car exploded outside, injuring seven people. Hotel. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said at a news conference Thursday that more than 1,000 law enforcement officers were involved in the investigation in the first 24 hours after the incident.
1. The New Orleans attacker was a U.S. citizen.
Law enforcement said the man who drove the truck through the crowd on Bourbon Street was Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and military veteran from Texas. He enlisted in the military in 2006 and was “deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, where he served on active duty for nine years as an administrative clerk.” times picayune newspaper. Jabbar, 42, was honorably discharged from the military in 2020. He and his wife divorced in 2022. he has two daughters.
Records show he held a real estate license from 2019 to 2023 and worked at Deloitte, one of the nation's leading financial services firms, the newspaper said. Jabbar told the Times-Picayune on Wednesday that he had been living in a mobile home north of Houston for about two years and told his landlord about a month ago that he was moving to New Orleans as a rental.
Law enforcement found an ISIS flag on Jabbar's car. The New York Times interviewed his younger brother, Abdul Jabbar, 24. He said Shamsuddin was a Muslim.
“But what he did is not representative of Islam,” said the younger Jabbar. “This is not a religion, it's a type of radicalization.”
Before the attack, Shamsuddin Jabbar recorded a video on social media saying he was inspired by ISIS.
The FBI is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism.
2. FBI says New Orleans attacker likely acted alone
Contrary to reports Wednesday, the F.B.I. said Thursday Jabbar likely acted alone.
“This was an act of terrorism. It was a premeditated and evil act,” Assistant Attorney General Christopher Reier said Thursday.
Raia added: “At this time, we do not assess that anyone else is involved in this attack, apart from Shamsud Din Jabbar, who has already been briefed.”
“We do not believe the public is at risk,” Raia said.
Law enforcement recovered three cell phones and two laptops associated with Jabbar.
Laia's statement about the attacker acting alone contradicts statements from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. NBC News “We can say with some degree of certainty that multiple people are involved,” he said Wednesday.
Governor Landry defended the change in law enforcement's position.
He added that “sometimes it turns out that the information we put out may be wrong,” and said law enforcement is being transparent.
3. Authorities are investigating connections between New Orleans and Las Vegas
The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day was identified Thursday as Matthew Libersberger, an Army soldier from Colorado. news nation Reported. Seven people were injured in the explosion, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. Mr. Libersberger has passed away.
According to an Army spokesperson, Libersberger served on active duty from January 2006 to March 2011, NewsNation reported. He then joined the National Guard and served from March 2011 to July 2012. He enlisted in the Army Reserve later that year and served until December 2012, when he returned to active duty as a member of the Army's Special Operations Forces.
“Mr. Libersberger was assigned to command and was on authorized leave at the time of his death. USASOC is cooperating fully with federal and state law enforcement agencies, but as a matter of policy we do not comment on ongoing investigations.” '' said the spokesperson.
Law enforcement found a fireworks mortar, gas cans, and camping fuel in the truck bed.
Libersberger's truck was rented in Colorado.
Law enforcement is investigating whether the New Orleans and Las Vegas incidents are related. Livelsberger and Shamsud-Din Jabbar both rented cars in Touro. The two also worked at the same military base.
4. The fence on Bourbon Street was being replaced.
The New Orleans attacker was able to drive his truck down Bourbon Street because a fence that may have been blocking the truck had been replaced.
What is called a “bollard” is a stainless steel barrier that allows pedestrians to enter the street while blocking vehicles.
Video of the incident shows the suspect turning right onto Bourbon from Canal Street and driving around a police vehicle that was being used as a temporary barrier.
“The bollard project was scheduled to begin in November and last three months,” the Times-Picayune reported. “Part of the road will need to be removed and replaced to remove the existing bollards.”
5. President Trump supports investigation
Hours after the New Orleans attack, President-elect Donald Trump posted a message on Truth Social supporting the investigation.
“Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” he wrote. “The Trump Administration fully supports the City of New Orleans in investigating and reversing this act of pure evil!”
Attention: FBI press conference on New Orleans attack and Las Vegas Tesla explosion
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! he is the host of crosswalk talka podcast where he speaks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christians are making their faith a priority in Hollywood, and discover the best Christian movies, books, TV and other entertainment. can be found crosswalk talk above LifeAudio.comor subscribe at apple or spotify So never miss an interview that is sure to encourage your faith.
