New Orleans, U.S. – The FBI has released surveillance images of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the deadly New Year’s Day truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, showing him walking along Dauphine Street just an hour before the rampage that killed 14 people and injured dozens more.
The images, taken at 2:03 a.m. on Wednesday, show Jabbar wearing a light brown coat, dark shirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes.
He was seen walking near Governor Nicholls Street, only to later drive his truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, carrying out what authorities have described as a premeditated and evil act.
In addition to the images of Jabbar, the FBI also released a photo of one of the coolers containing an improvised explosive device (IED), which Jabbar placed near the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans streets. Surveillance footage captured him placing the device, which has heightened concerns about the attack’s coordinated nature.
To assist with the investigation, the FBI has set up a digital tipline, urging anyone with photos or videos related to the attack, Jabbar, or the IEDs to submit them via www.fbi.gov/bourbonstreetattack.
Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counter-terrorism division, confirmed that the agency had already received over 400 tips and is actively following up on leads both in New Orleans and across the country.
Authorities also revealed that the deadly attack is linked to a fire at a short-term rental property in the St. Roch area of New Orleans. According to WVUE-TV Fox 8, bomb-making supplies were found inside the building, raising further suspicions about Jabbar’s preparation for the attack.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities still processing the scene and analyzing the evidence gathered. On Thursday, officials confirmed that they had recovered two laptops and three cell phones belonging to Jabbar, which are being carefully examined for any potential clues or leads that could shed light on the motive behind the attack.
As the investigation continues, the FBI has urged the public to remain vigilant and provide any information that could help authorities piece together the events leading up to the deadly truck rampage on Bourbon Street.
