The man who carried out a deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans purchased a firearm in Arlington, Texas, just weeks before the tragedy, authorities revealed on Sunday.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, drove a truck into a crowded street, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30 others. FBI officials disclosed that Jabbar had also traveled to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, in the months leading up to the attack. Investigators are still determining whether those trips were connected to his actions.
All 14 victims, ranging in age from 18 to 63, died from blunt force trauma. Among them was 31-year-old Edward Pettifer of West London, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. Thirteen others remained hospitalized as of Sunday, officials said.
In addition to the vehicular assault, authorities discovered crude explosive devices planted in the French Quarter. Two improvised bombs, hidden in coolers blocks apart, were neutralized at the scene, while other devices were found to be nonfunctional.
Jabbar, who was killed in a shootout with police shortly after the attack, had declared allegiance to the Islamic State in a series of online videos posted hours before his rampage. Officials confirmed that he privately purchased a semiautomatic rifle from a seller in Arlington on November 19. Investigators also tracked recent purchases, including a cooler in Vidor, Texas, and gun oil in Sulphur, Louisiana, made just hours before the attack.
This assault marks the deadliest Islamic State-inspired attack on U.S. soil in recent years.
In response to the tragedy, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden plan to visit New Orleans on Monday to meet with victims’ families and community members.
As the city braces for the upcoming Carnival season and the Super Bowl on February 9, law enforcement has intensified security measures. Barricades and police vehicles now block key intersections, including Bourbon and Canal Streets, to prevent similar incidents.
Efforts to safeguard the French Quarter have faced challenges. Steel bollards, once installed to restrict vehicle access, had become ineffective due to wear and debris from Mardi Gras celebrations. Officials confirmed they are being replaced and will be operational ahead of the Super Bowl.
New Orleans remains on high alert, with law enforcement agencies collaborating to protect residents and visitors during the city’s busiest season.
