New Orleans Truck Attack: FBI Probes Suspect's Travel History, Associates

Facts

• The FBI is investigating the travel history of US citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the 42-year-old man from Texas who allegedly killed 14 people and injured dozens in a New Year's Day terror attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, La.^[1]
• FBI investigations suggested that Jabbar made reconnaissance trips to New Orleans in October and November 2024, recording videos of the French Quarter using Meta smart glasses.^[2][3]
• Prior to the attack, Jabbar also traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 to July 3, 2023, and to Ontario, Canada, from July 10 to July 13, 2023, after which he returned to the US. The FBI said he had also recently traveled to Tampa, Fla.^[3][4]
• On Dec. 31, Jabbar entered Louisiana, allegedly placed two homemade explosive devices in coolers on Bourbon Street, and launched a truck attack at 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 1. He reportedly prepared the explosives in Texas using what police termed a "very rare" compound and other chemical materials.^[1][5]
• The suspect reportedly set fire to his rental home on Mandeville Street, where authorities later discovered bomb-making materials.^[4]
• Federal authorities confirmed Jabbar acted alone in New Orleans but continue to investigate potential associates in Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Ga., and Tampa. The FBI recovered an Islamic State group (IS) flag from the rental truck and found videos where Jabbar pledged allegiance to IS before the attack.^[2][6]

Sources: ^[1]The Guardian, ^[2}CBS, ^[3]FOX News, ^[4]FBI, ^[5]New York Post and ^[6]Breitbart.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The New York Times and CNN. New Orleans must enhance its security measures after failing to fully follow up on a report that warned of a vehicular attack just like this one. This, combined with reported political dynamics, undermined the homeland security capabilities that needed to be built. There is an urgent need to increase funding, personnel, and capacity in New Orleans when it comes to preparing for a turbulent security environment.
• Conservative narrative, as provided by Archive. The New Orleans Mayor's Office was unable to prepare for this attack because of failure to follow up on a technical risk assessment, but more so for spending time on politicized agendas involving topics like climate, equity, and sustainability. Instead of implementing security protocols and studying the threat of radical Islamic terrorism, the mayor spent 103 days traveling and tending to the wrong issues.
• Progressive narrative, as provided by Eye On Surveillance. Rather than focusing on the "security" needed to make New Orleans safer, more attention needs to be focused on the extraordinary level of surveillance that has long been intruding into the lives of city residents. From omnipresent cameras to intrusive technologies, it's vital that, going forward, the true nature of oppressive surveillance in New Orleans is considered.