New Orleans attack: Terror suspect used bomb materials never seen in US as police probe how he got them
Police investigated the materials used in the devices near the Bourbon Street attack
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Your support makes all the difference.The terror suspect in the New Orleans rampage that killed 14 people and injured dozens reportedly used materials to make explosives that have never been used in a U.S. attack.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas, used an extremely rare explosive compound that had never been seen before in any incidents in the U.S. or Europe, NBC News reported.
Jabbar planned to detonate two explosives that he had placed on Bourbon Street, FBI and ATF officials said in a joint statement Friday. He intended to use a transmitter, which was found in his vehicle, to ignite the bombs but ultimately did not.
It’s not immediately clear how or where he learned to make such an explosive. It’s yet another question for the FBI, which is also reportedly looking into Jabbar’s travel, including a trip to Egypt.
The federal agency was also trying to determine whether he became radicalized during his trip, ABC News reported.
Authorities recovered an ISIS flag from inside his vehicle.
“This next most important phase of the investigation is to find out how that radicalization happened and if it happened on that trip,” Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams told the network.
Woman shot in New Orleans terror attack describes how her mom helped save her over the phone
New Orleans attack came as officials warned of an escalating threat of international terrorism
British man among 14 killed in New Year’s Day New Orleans vehicle attack
Heartbreaking comparison of New Orleans before and after terror attack
The New Orleans attacker was inspired by ISIS. How much of a threat does the group pose to the US?
Despite the New Orleans attack, experts don’t see an elevated threat from ISIS — instead, it’s a steady threat that never left, Richard Hall writes:
The New Orleans attacker was inspired by ISIS. Is the group a threat in the US?
Despite the New Orleans attack, experts don’t see an elevated threat from ISIS — instead, it’s a steady threat that never left, Richard Hall writes.
ICYMI: Cybertruck bomber Matthew Livelsberger’s wife broke up with him days before explosion, report says
The wife of the Cybertruck bomber Matthew Livelsberger left him just days before he detonated the vehicle outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, according to a report.
The active-duty Green Beret had argued with his wife after she told him she suspected he had been cheating, the New York Post reports, citing law enforcement sources.
Rhian Lubin has the story:
Cybertruck bomber’s wife reportedly left him days before explosion
The active-duty Green Beret had argued with his wife after she told him she suspected he had been cheating, according to the report
63-year-old New Orleans native identified as victim
A 63-year-old New Orleans native has been identified as one of the victims of the New Year’s Day atrocity.
Terrence Kennedy, affectionately known as “Terry” by his loved ones, had gone to Bourbon Street to enjoy a drink to ring in the new year, his niece told the Times-Picayune.
Kennedy, one of nine children, was “just enjoying his city and not bothering nobody,” Monisha James said, adding that her uncle was “the nicest person in the world.”
He grew up in Uptown New Orleans and was a graduate of Walter Cohen High School. His family said he was a fan of NFL football and his favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Recap: Who are the victims of the New Orleans terror attack?
A former Princeton football star. An aspiring nurse. A college freshman. A cherished son. A devoted mom.
These are among the victims of the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that left at least 14 people dead and dozens injured when a 42-year-old Army veteran plowed a truck into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in what the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism.”
With more victims being identified each day since the tragedy, here is a recap of those who have been remembered by loved ones so far:
Ex-Princeton football star and aspiring nurse: Victims of New Orleans terror attack
Here’s everything we know about the victims of the horrific tragedy that left 14 dead on Bourbon Street
Watch: Heartbreaking comparison of New Orleans before and after terror attack
New Orleans attack suspect had ‘dreams’ that inspired him to join ISIS. What we know
The suspect in the deadly New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day revealed “dreams” that inspired him to join ISIS and made chilling threats to kill his family in videos recorded ahead of the massacre, according to a report.
Authorities are reportedly reviewing disturbing videos of the suspect, 42-year-old Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, where he discussed plans to kill his family and mentioned his divorce, according to CNN, citing two officials briefed on the footage.
The FBI is investigating the incident “as an act of terrorism.”
New Year’s celebrations in the city ended in tragedy when the suspected terrorist — a U.S. citizen and Army veteran — slammed into a crowd of revelers, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.
Kelly Rissman and Rhian Lubin have the story.
New Orleans attack suspect had ‘dreams’ that inspired him to join ISIS. What we know
Authorities are reviewing disturbing videos of the suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar where he ‘proclaimed his support for ISIS’ and threatened to kill his family
Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s brother says sibling was radicalized
The brother of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man behind the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, blamed radicalization for his sibling’s actions.
Abdur Rahim-Jabbar, 24, who along with his brother was raised Muslim, told Fox News that he did not previously spot any signs of radicalization or someone who was hatching a deadly plot. He added that the attack was “no direct reflection on his brother and the Muslim community”.
Rahim-Jabbar also told CNN that his brother never spoke of ISIS.
Jabbar’s father, Rahim, 65, said he regretted not having the opportunity to speak to his son.
“How do you know what to do if they don’t tell you,” he told the outlet. “We would have certainly tried, because we knew it wouldn’t have been a good ending.”
ICYMI: Biden will visit New Orleans next week, White House says
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are expected to visit New Orleans on Monday – marking five days since Shamsud Din Jabbar’s New Year’s Day attack, killing 14 people and injuring 35 others after ramming a truck into a crowd of revellers on Bourbon Street.
“The President and First Lady will grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack on January 1st and meet with officials on the ground,” a White House official told CNN on Friday.
It comes after Biden told reporters on Thursday that he was “gonna try” and visit New Orleans in the wake of the terror attack.
Elon Musk questioned over his ‘help’ with Cybertruck explosion case
Elon Musk was personally praised by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill on Thursday for his help in the aftermath of the deadly explosion outside of a Nevada luxury hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump on New Year’s Day.
However, the law enforcement officer’s disclosures about the extent of Musk’s support only provoked further questions from the public on Reddit, with users posing questions in response to his comments via a CuratedTumblr thread entitled “Asking some reasonable questions about Elon Musk’s ‘help’ with the Cybertruck bombing case.”
Joe Sommerlad has more:
Elon Musk questioned over his ‘help’ with Cybertruck explosion case
Tesla boss thanked by Las Vegas police for his support in investigating New Year’s Day blast but intervention provokes questions about his high-tech vehicles’ capacity for data collection
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