New Orleans, Jan. 2, 2025 (UPI) — The death toll in the New Orleans “terror attack” has risen to at least 15 people, the FBI announced Wednesday, as the bureau identified the suspect as a U.S. citizen from Texas who drove a rented pickup truck loaded with weapons into a crowd celebrating New Year’s on Bourbon Street.
The deceased suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who served in the Army and resided in Texas, the FBI said in a statement. Officials said investigators are currently reviewing a series of video recordings Jabbar made before the attack.
“He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which appears to have been rented, and we are working to confirm how the subject came into possession of the vehicle,” the agency said, as it confirmed the presence of what appeared to be an ISIS flag in the truck.
The FBI is leading the investigation and during a Wednesday afternoon press conference called the attack an act of terrorism that likely involves several suspects.
The attack occurred on the 100 block of Bourbon Street, which is a crime scene and off limits until the FBI concludes its investigation after finding two improvised explosive devices and more in the suspect’s vehicle.
Law enforcement has swept that area and others in New Orleans on foot, including the Superdome football stadium, with the help of bomb-detection dogs to ensure no other explosive devices are deployed.
The city was scheduled to host the Allstate Sugar Bowl NCAA football playoff game Wednesday night at the Superdome but postponed the contest for 24 hours.
One-hundred military police officers have been called in to help secure the city and protect against other potential acts.
