The FBI has fully attributed the tragic New Year's Day event in New Orleans to a single individual.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar shocked the city with an act of violence when he drove a rented truck into a festive crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring many others, according to Fox News.
The FBI confirmed that Jabbar acted independently during the attack. Local law enforcement killed Jabbar during a confrontation following the devastation.
Despite initial suspicions of a broader plot, investigations have shown no connection between this attack and a simultaneous incident in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck explosion. Both attackers, although veterans of Fort Liberty, served at different times with no overlapping periods.
Authorities explored the possibility of a military network behind these actions but have since ruled out such theories.
Jabbar planned to harm his friends and family but ultimately redirected his focus to a public target. Before the attack, he uploaded videos in which he pledged loyalty to the Islamic State and clarified that, while inspired by ISIS, he was not acting under their direction.
Authorities found the rented vehicle, which originated from Houston, loaded with firearms and explosive devices during their search.
Christopher Raia, FBI Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division, emphasized the absence of any concrete link between the two locations:
We are following up on all potential leads and not ruling anything out. However, at this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas.
In response to these violent acts, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his critique of current leadership and border policies, attributing them to the downfall in national security and democracy. He insists on immediate CIA intervention to put an end to such tragedies.
Trump also pointed the finger at Democrats for what he considers as mismanagement and negligence that led to such incidents.
Hospitals in New Orleans were strained as they treated 37 victims of the turmoil. As a security measure and out of respect for the victims, the Sugar Bowl was deferred. The ongoing multi-state investigation classifies the New Orleans attack as an act of terrorism, with agents tirelessly pursuing leads.
This tragedy not only stirred political debates but also cast a long shadow over the festive spirit typically associated with New Year's celebrations. As officials continue to piece together the sequence of events, this incident serves as a sober reminder of the threats facing public safety and the need for vigilant security measures.
