The FBI has released surveillance images of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the 42-year-old suspect behind the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, calling on witnesses to come forward with any information. Jabbar drove a truck into revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more before engaging in a fatal shootout with law enforcement.
Surveillance footage unveiled
The images, posted on the FBI’s X account, show Jabbar walking near Bourbon Street more than an hour before the attack. He is seen wearing a light brown coat, jeans, and dress shoes as he moves along Dauphine and Governor Nicholls streets. Another photo reveals a blue cooler, later found to contain an improvised explosive device, near the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans streets.
“The #FBI is asking witnesses who passed him on the street or saw this blue ice chest containing an IED to contact us,” the agency wrote.
Attack details
The attack unfolded just after 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, as Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd of pedestrians in the French Quarter. After exiting the vehicle, he opened fire on police officers, who returned fire, killing him on the scene. Authorities believe the attack was linked to ISIS, with an ISIS flag reportedly found at the scene.
Broader national security concerns
The attack has reignited concerns about national security, with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, issuing a stark warning. Speaking on “America Reports,” Homan criticized the current administration’s border policies, stating, “This country is in grave danger. We need to secure that border.”
Homan highlighted the risk posed by unvetted individuals entering the U.S., referencing the record number of “known gotaways” and expressing confidence that Trump’s incoming administration will prioritize border security.
A potential connection?
Authorities are also investigating a possible link between Jabbar and another suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, who is accused of driving a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on the same day. Livelsberger’s vehicle reportedly contained gasoline, camp fuel containers, and firework mortars.
Both incidents have intensified fears about domestic vulnerabilities and the role of border security in preventing future attacks. The FBI continues to appeal to anyone with information on Jabbar’s movements or the blue cooler to contact authorities immediately.
