Federal and state officials told reporters in New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon that they are investigating multiple suspects in the attack on Bourbon Street during New Year’s Eve celebrations that killed at least 10 people and injured at least 35.
Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, an Army veteran, drove into a crowd on the pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of New Orleans at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time on New Year’s Day. After crashing his pickup truck, he began to shoot into the crowd.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, was wearing tactical gear when he was shot and killed by police officers, two of whom were shot but are in stable condition in a local hospital, according to New Orleans Police Department officials.
FBI lead investigator on the case Aletha Duncan told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday that the bureau is “investigating it as an act of terrorism,” changing its position from early Wednesday morning.
Jabbar drove a rented truck in Texas from a car sharing service, according to official reports. The owner of the car is reportedly working with law enforcement.
Police determined that an Islamic State flag was attached to the bed of the assailant’s pickup truck, which was covered in an evidence bag in pictures of the crime scene released on Wednesday mid-morning. Duncan told reporters that federal law enforcement is investigating Jabbar’s “potential associations and affiliations” with terrorist organizations.
Local news 4WWL reported Wednesday afternoon that law enforcement had surrounded an Airbnb in the St. Claude neighborhood of New Orleans, approximately 2 miles away from Bourbon Street.
Details of the Airbnb location were not shared by law enforcement officials at the press conference.
Duncan told the public that two improvised explosive devices were identified and neutralized in the city and that law enforcement has been deployed throughout the city to monitor for additional devices.
Multiple assailants being investigated
Duncan said that federal investigators do not believe that Jabbar acted alone in the attack and they are “aggressively running down all the leads” to identify co-conspirators.
Civilians are encouraged to report to the FBI any interactions that they may have had with Jabbar within the past 72 hours through the bureau’s electronic tip form or with the hotline 1-800-CALL-FBI.
When asked for the number of individuals being investigated, Duncan said that they are investigating a “range of suspects.”
Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) became frustrated with reporters during a Wednesday afternoon press conference who repeatedly asked questions about the details of the investigation, including the number of additional assailants.
“This is a very fluid process,” said Landry, saying that no information is going to be made available that would impede the ongoing investigation.
“We’re hunting these people down and we’re securing the city,” said Landry.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said that he will “raise fresh hell” if information about the attack is withheld or swept under the rug by the FBI about the attack, but acknowledged that information about the ongoing investigation could not be shared with the press.
“Catch these people,” Kennedy asked of law enforcement. “Catch these people and then tell the American people the truth.”
Sugar Bowl postponed until Thursday
Officials from the Sugar Bowl Committee told reporters Wednesday afternoon that the Sugar Bowl, the American football game played on New Year’s Day, will be postponed until Thursday evening.
The game was originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. local time on New Years Day, but the committee decided to reschedule the event in coordination with federal law enforcement, ESPN, and other stakeholders in college football.
“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know and it’s just not worth it,” said Kennedy
University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead announced on social media Wednesday afternoon that one of his university’s students is among the confirmed injured in the attack.
The University of Georgia’s football team is in New Orleans to play in the Sugar Bowl college football game
“I have spoken to the student’s family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community.,” said Morehead.
Morehead did not give the name of the student, but the student was identified as a member of the university’s band.
Landry told reporters that he will be attending the Sugar Bowl game Thursday evening and assured the public that law enforcement officials will keep the event safe.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
