The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released footage revealing first-person views of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the ISIS terrorist responsible for the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. The videos show Jabbar scouting Bourbon Street using Meta smart glasses before the attack that killed 14 and injured 35 others.
According to the FBI disclosed the video, recorded with Meta smart glasses, showing Jabbar navigating the French Quarter just weeks before he rammed a rented truck into a crowd, killing 14 and injuring dozens, as per a report by New York Post.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar recorded videos of the area before attack
In a press conference, the FBI detailed how Jabbar recced the area twice – first in October and again in November – before carrying out the attack. During his visits, he used Meta smart glasses to film a bicycle tour of the French Quarter, seemingly planning his assault, the New York Post reports.
The glasses allow users to record videos and photos hands-free. However, the glasses were not activated during the New Year’s Day attack.
“They were not actively recording during the attack,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil.
The FBI also said that Jabbar uploaded a series of videos to Facebook minutes before the attack. He pledged allegiance to ISIS and said he wanted to fight a war against nonbelievers.
IED plot foiled
The FBI also revealed that Jabbar had planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around the bustling tourist area, potentially planning a larger-scale attack. However, police intervened, fatally shooting Jabbar before he could detonate the bombs.
“We believe the transmitter would have functioned, but New Orleans PD stopped him before he could access it and set off the devices,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.
Investigators are working to determine how Jabbar acquired the “very rare explosive compound” used in the bombs, a material never before seen in terrorist attacks in the US or Europe. Jabbar, a former military member, allegedly constructed the bombs at his Texas home, where he had a dedicated bomb-making workbench.
