FBI Spokesperson Aletha Duncan spoke at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon during which she confirmed earlier reports that authorities do not believe that Shamsud-Din Jabbar worked alone in carrying out what is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency and we’re investigating this as an attack of terrorism along with our partners,” Duncan said, before describing the incident. The suspect drove an EV Ford F-150 into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans at about 3:15 am, killing 10 and injuring another 35. “After hitting the crowd, he exited the vehicle and fired upon local law enforcement. Law enforcement returned fire and the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Duncan said that the Jabbar is a US citizen, born and raised in Texas. He was a US Army veteran. “An ISIS flag was located on the trailer hitch of the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations. Weapons and potential improvised explosive devices, IEDs, were located within the subject’s vehicle. Other IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.”
She went on to say that the FBI is working to run down his associates and is seeking to determine if there is a further threat.
“We do not believe that Jabbar is solely responsible,” Duncan said, “we are aggressively running down every lead including those of his known associates. That’s why we need the public’s help.” She asked that anyone who had been in contact with Jabbar over the past 72 hours to come forward and give any information they may have to the FBI to “assist in this investigation.”
She went on to say that Jabbar was an Army veteran who is believed to be on honorary discharge.
Hellbound and Down 