New Orleans attacker stored bomb materials, reserved truck weeks ahead, say officials
A man who drove a truck into New Year’s revelers in New Orleans planned the attack six weeks in advance, had bomb-making materials, and supported ISIS. The attack killed 14 people, injured 30, and ended with the attacker’s death in a gunfire exchange with police.
Authorities on Friday said that the man who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans had bomb-making materials at his home and had reserved the vehicle for the deadly attack over six weeks in advance.
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Federal authorities searching Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s home in Houston discovered a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials suspected to have been used for making explosive devices, law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Reserved pickup truck on November 14
The FBI’s investigation uncovered that Jabbar acquired a cooler in Vidor, Texas, and gun oil from Sulphur, Louisiana, just before the incident.
Officials noted that Jabbar had reserved the pickup truck on November 14, indicating possible advance planning of the attack.
Authorities reported that 14 people were killed and around 30 injured in an attack early Wednesday by Jabbar, a former Army soldier.
He had posted several videos on his Facebook hours before the attack, previewing the violence he would unleash and expressing his support for the Islamic State militant group.
The coroner’s office confirmed that the cause of death for all 14 victims was “blunt force injuries.”
The 42-year-old Jabbar lost his life in an exchange of gunfire with police at the crash site on Bourbon Street, a globally recognised festive location in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.
Discovered crude bombs, explosive devices
Officials discovered crude bombs planted in the neighborhood, seemingly intended to cause further destruction.
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Two improvised explosive devices, placed in coolers several blocks apart, were safely defused at the scene. Other devices were found to be nonfunctional, according to officials.
The FBI stated on Friday that investigators found a transmitter in Jabbar’s hired vehicle, intended to activate the two explosive devices.
Jabbar attempted to set the house
Authorities also discovered bomb-making materials at the New Orleans home that Jabbar had rented before the attack.
According to the FBI, Jabbar attempted to set the house on fire by igniting a small blaze in a hallway and using accelerants to spread the flames.
However, the fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived.
Authorities continued investigating Jabbar’s motives and methods on Friday. After crashing his vehicle, he emerged wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and opened fire on police, injuring at least two officers before being shot and killed in the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
Earlier on Friday, New Orleans police withheld details about the number of shots exchanged and possible civilian casualties, as the investigation remained active.
The head of the city’s Office of the Independent Police Monitor, Stella Cziment, confirmed that investigators are documenting all discharged rounds and assessing if any civilians were struck.
Offering prayers, flowers and candles
A sombre atmosphere prevailed on Bourbon Street on Friday.
Following the crime scene’s reopening, visitors and residents paid tribute to the victims whilst bucket drummers performed nearby. People gathered at an expanding memorial, offering prayers, flowers and candles.
Tony Lightfoot, visiting from Baton Rouge with his son, remarked, “New Orleans is about having a good time, you know, just trying to live your best life.” He noted that the attacker “just decided to disrupt all of that”.
Thirteen people remained hospitalised, with eight in intensive care at University Medical Center New Orleans, according to spokesperson Carolina Giepert.
‘Grieve with the families and community’
The White House announced President Joe Biden’s forthcoming visit to New Orleans. The presidential couple planned to visit on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack”.
At Bourbon and Canal streets, authorities established security perimeters using vehicles and barriers as pedestrian numbers increased. Additional law enforcement agencies supplemented city police presence, according to NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper.
The initial Carnival parade before Mardi Gras was set for Monday, with New Orleans also preparing to host the Super Bowl on February 9. “This enhanced safety effort will continue daily, not just during large events,” Harper stated.
Previously installed retractable bollards on Bourbon Street, designed for French Quarter protection, had malfunctioned due to debris accumulation. These were removed before New Year’s Eve, with replacement plans scheduled before the Super Bowl.
Jabbar acted alone in the attack
FBI investigations concluded Jabbar acted alone in the attack, which claimed multiple lives including an 18-year-old nursing student, a single mother, a father of two and a former Princeton University footballer.
The coroner’s office identified thirteen of fourteen victims, aged between 18 and 63, predominantly in their twenties. Among them was British citizen Edward Pettifer, 31, from west London, confirmed by London’s Metropolitan Police.
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