A horrifying discovery at a rental property adds new dimensions to the New Year's Day terror attack that shook New Orleans' French Quarter.
According to Daily Mail, federal investigators found bomb-making materials at an Airbnb property in St. Roch that was rented by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, who killed 15 people and injured 35 others in a vehicle attack on New Year's revelers.
The FBI, along with special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security, conducted a thorough search of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom property near the French Quarter. Authorities evacuated residents from a three-street radius as they removed bomb-making materials using a total containment vessel around 8 PM on New Year's Day.
The suspect, a U.S. Army veteran born and raised in Texas, drove an electric vehicle from Houston to Louisiana to execute the deadly attack. Investigators discovered that Jabbar had rented the property through Airbnb, establishing it as his base of operations before carrying out the assault.
The area, primarily consisting of tourist rentals, was cordoned off as authorities advised visitors not to expect an immediate return to their accommodations.
State Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed the property's connection to the attack. The rental property, recently renovated by real estate developer Oliver Doxater at Wysteria Properties, became central to the investigation after firefighters responded to an early-morning fire. Sources indicate Jabbar likely secured the rental through Airbnb or a similar platform before executing his plan.
The vehicle used in the attack rented through the car-sharing app Turo, was found to contain an ISIS flag and explosives. Law enforcement officials are currently reviewing a series of videos believed to have been recorded by Jabbar during his journey from Texas to Louisiana.
Multiple officials reported that the recordings, made while driving at night, contain disturbing content. The suspect discussed various topics in these videos, including his divorce and plans to target his family. His brother, Abdur Jabbar, offered insights into the suspect's character and religious background.
Abdur Jabbar, 24, shared his perspective on his brother's actions. He emphasized that the attack does not align with Islamic teachings, suggesting a different motivation behind the violence. His brother said: "[He was] a sweetheart really, a nice guy, a friend, really smart, caring."
The investigation has expanded to explore possible connections with other recent incidents, including a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. While several agencies are investigating potential links between the attacks, the FBI stated on Thursday that there is no definitive connection between the two incidents or attackers.
The situation has become more complex as authorities work to understand the full scope of these attacks. Elon Musk commented on the Las Vegas incident, suggesting it was likely an act of terrorism and noting both vehicles were rented through Turo. The timing and nature of both attacks have raised concerns about potential coordination, though no concrete evidence has emerged.
Federal investigators are particularly focused on understanding how Jabbar accessed and assembled the explosive materials found at the rental property. The discovery of bomb-making components suggests a level of preparation that extends beyond the immediate vehicle attack, indicating a more elaborate plan.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, orchestrated a deadly attack in New Orleans' French Quarter on New Year's Day, resulting in 15 deaths and 35 injuries. Federal investigators discovered bomb-making materials at his Airbnb rental in St. Roch, revealing the suspect's extensive preparation for the attack. The incident, coupled with a separate explosion at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, has prompted a widespread investigation into potential terrorist activities. However, authorities maintain there is no confirmed connection between the two events.
