Federal authorities say the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street could have claimed more lives if officers did not kill the suspect after he crashed into construction equipment. Joshua Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF New Orleans field office, says Shamsud-Din Jabbar possessed a transmitter with radio receivers designed to ignite two bombs that he placed on Bourbon Street.
“So we believe that the transmitter would have functioned and would have worked, but for New Orleans PD putting him down before getting access to that transmitter and setting off the devices,” Jackson said.
Jabbar died in a gunfight with New Orleans Police officers after his vehicle crashed.
Authorities still believe Jabbar acted alone. The FBI says they learned the 42-year-old from Houston visited New Orleans twice in the months leading up to his attack. FBI Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Mytrhil says during his October visit, he recorded reconnaissance video of Bourbon Street with smart glasses.
“During that time, Jabbar using Meta glasses recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle, as we continue to learn more about that trip, we ask anyone who may have seen or interacted with him to contact us,” Mythril said.
Mytrhil says they also know that Jabbar traveled to Canada and Egypt in 2023. He says they want to talk with anyone who may have encountered Jabbar.
“Our agents are getting answers as to where he went, who met with and how those trips may or may not tie into his actions into our city of New Orleans.” Mythril said.
The FBI also does not know why he planned this attack for New Orleans.
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