The FBI says the perpetrator in New Orleans acted on his own.
With the help of surveillance material, they were able to see how he himself placed two explosive objects in the area.
– We assess that there was no one else involved in this attack than Shamsud Din Jabbar, says Christopher Raia from the FBI.
On Wednesday, the FBI announced that it had a number of suspects and did not want to rule anything out. On Thursday, the FBI announced that it does not believe that anyone other than 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar from Texas was involved in the crime.
The FBI was also clear that it defines the act as terrorism.
– This was an act of terrorism, says Christopher Raia from the FBI.
First planned to hurt his family
According to the FBI, Jabbar rented the car in the city of Houston, Texas, the day before the crime. On New Year’s Eve, he drove from Houston to New Orleans.
– Then he posted several films on an internet platform where he shows his support for IS.
In total, it is supposed to be five films, the last one is said to have been shared shortly before the crime. There, Jabbar also states that he must have joined IS before the summer of 2025. An IS flag was also found in the car used in the attack.
– In the first film, Jabbar explains that he intended to harm his family and friends, but was concerned that the news would not focus on the “war between believers and non-believers”, says Christopher Raia.
Placed bombs in the area myself
Shortly after the crime, the police announced that bomb technicians were working in the area when suspiciously dangerous objects were found.
Several objects were found and two of them were found to be sharp. Earlier there were reports that they would have been placed by other people.
– We have found surveillance material that shows where Jabbar places these, says Raia.
Police are now working to trace his life and have interviewed several people close to him, but still want to get in touch with more people who have interacted with him.
No connection to other acts
During yesterday, a car also exploded outside Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas. There was information on Thursday that there would be connections between the events, something the FBI now believes is not true.
– At the moment there are no connections between the attack in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas, says Raia.