What we know about New Orleans attack as FBI say suspect 'acted alone'
An attack on crowds celebrating the New Year has been branded 'an act of terrorism' as investigators probe the possible motive for the violence.
Counter-terror experts believe the suspect in the New Orleans attack which killed 15 people acted alone.
At least 15 people - including the attacker - were killed and dozens more injured in the New Year's Day attack when the suspect, identified as former soldier Shamsud-Din Jabbar, crashed a pick-up truck into crowds in the US city's historic French Quarter, before continuing his assault with a firearm.
He was later killed in a shootout with police, who found homemade bombs and a black ISIS flag in the vehicle.
Investigators were probing the possibility the 42-year-old could have been aided by others, but Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI's counter-terrorism division, said they now believe he was a lone wolf. The FBI are reviewing two laptops found from Jabbar's home and three phones.
The attack came several hours before a cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.
“At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas,” said FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia.
Read a full breakdown of the key updates from our media partners below or click to skip to each section:
- Biden says New Orleans terror attacker inspired by Islamic State
- US army veteran who was 'quiet and smart' - what we know about suspect
- Police injured in fatal firefight
- Aspiring nurse and former college football star among victims
- Video shows suspect discussing career
- Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion investigators piece together suspect's final hours
Biden says New Orleans terror attacker inspired by Islamic State
A US Army veteran who killed 15 people as he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revellers in New Orleans had posted videos to social media hours before the carnage saying he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing a desire to kill, Joe Biden said.
The US president said in an address to the nation on Wednesday evening that the FBI found the videos suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas, posted to social media. He called the attack a "despicable" and "heinous act".
US army veteran who was 'quiet and smart' - what we know about suspect
The suspect in the New Orleans truck attack has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
The FBI said he was a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas. Talking about himself in a promotional video, Jabbar said he was born and raised in the state. Police said he was "hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did".
Police injured in fatal firefight
Law enforcement agencies are expanding their investigation into the New Year's ramming attack on New Orleans' Bourbon Street which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more in the early hours of Wednesday.
The suspect mowed down dozens of people over a three-block stretch on the world-famous thoroughfare while firing into the crowd, police said.
The alleged attacker then exited the damaged vehicle armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers, law enforcement officials said. Officers returned fire, killing Jabbar... At least two police officers were injured, one by gunfire and the other when the officer was pinned by the truck, authorities said.
Aspiring nurse and former college football star among victims
Tributes have been paid to a 21-year-old man, a 26-year-old recent university graduate, and a 25-year-old account executive who were among the 14 people who were killed in the New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day.
Respects have now been paid to Billy DiMaio, 25, Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, and Drew Dauphin, 26, who are among the latest to be named locally.
Authorities are yet to formally name the 14 people who died following the terror attack.
Video shows suspect discussing career
Suspected New Orleans terror attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar is filmed discussing his career and military experience in a resurfaced video.
In the video, Jabbar introduces himself as a property manager and says he worked for ten years as a human resources and IT specialist in the military. Texas state records also show that he held a real estate license in the state from 2018 to 2023.
