Terror attack suspect visited New Orleans during Halloween, FBI says
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The FBI, Louisiana State Police, NOPD and multiple agencies are investigating the attack. Photo: Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
The man accused of a deadly New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street visited New Orleans at least twice before and recorded video of the famous street using Meta glasses, the FBI said Sunday.
The big picture: Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Houston resident accused of plowing a truck into the crowd, also visited Tampa, Egypt and Canada, officials revealed Sunday.
- Jabbar killed 14 people and injured at least 35 before he was killed by police. Read the victim's stories.
- Authorities have been piecing together his movements and on Sunday released more details about his timeline.
The latest: Jabbar was in New Orleans for at least two days starting Oct. 30 when thousands of visitors were in town for Halloween, according to Lyonel Myrthil, the special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans.
- During that trip, he used Meta glasses to record a bike ride down Bourbon Street, Myrthil said. Watch the video. The glasses look like regular glasses but can record video, take photos and livestream.
- His visit came days after Taylor Swift wrapped up her three-night extravaganza at the Caesars Superdome.
He returned to New Orleans on Nov. 10, the FBI said. They didn't release details about that visit.
Zoom in: Jabbar also visited Tampa, Florida, recently, the FBI said. They didn't say if they believe he may have been scouting for an attack or going for other reasons.
- Jabbar was a Georgia State University graduate and had other ties there, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
- He was in Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, in the summer of 2023, the FBI said. They are tracking down leads there about the purpose of his trips.
Zoom out: Jabbar was wearing the Meta glasses when he attacked Bourbon Street, Myrthil said. But, the FBI hasn't found evidence that he was recording or livestreaming.
- The rifle and at least one of the ice chests containing IEDs were bought in Texas, officials said.
Security review: Mayor LaToya Cantrell said she and NOPD chief Anne Kirkpatrick requested a tactical expert to visit the city this week to review the security plans for Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl.
- Cantrell said she plans to talk with President Biden about the request on Monday when he visits New Orleans.
- The city also has requested to increase the security threat level this year for Carnival. Doing so would qualify New Orleans to get extensive federal support.
- Parades start Monday and continue through Mardi Gras on March 4. The city hosts Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9.
Victim support: The FBI opened a family assistance center Sunday for victims and their loved ones.
- It's at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church and will be open daily from 9am to 7pm.
- Victims and families can retrieve personal items left at the crime scene, Myrthil said.
- Related: How to help the victims.
What's next: Biden will be in town Monday to "grieve with the families and communities."
- The Archdiocese of New Orleans is also holding a prayer vigil at 6pm Monday at St. Louis Cathedral.
- The FBI is continuing to ask for tips and to talk with anyone who may have interacted with Jabbar.
Go deeper:
- The victims of the Bourbon Street attack
- How to help after the Bourbon Street attack
- Biden to visit New Orleans
- New Orleans leaders face questions over preventability of terror attack
- New Orleans parades to be "a light in the darkness" after terror attack