New Orleans terror attack: Police give major update on attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar
Share:
The suspect who drove into New Year’s revellers as they partied in New Orleans had considered attacking his own family and friends - but held off for a chilling reason. Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, 42, drove a pickup truck into the crowd of New Year's revellers early Wednesday, killing 15 people and injuring at least 35 others. The 42-year-old assailant, from Texas, was shot dead by police officers at the scene.
Hours before the horror incident, he had posted videos on social media saying he was inspired by Isis. In an update this afternoon, the FBI has revealed in one of the videos he had said he had considered harming his family and friends. Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI's counter-terrorism division, said: “Let me be very clear about this point, this was an act of terrorism, it was premeditated and an evil act.
“He drove from Houston to New Orleans on the evening of the 31st, and he posted several videos to an online platform, proclaiming his support for ISIS. In the first video, Jabar explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the 'war between the believers and the disbelievers'.
“We do not believe anyone else was involved. We cannot ease your suffering…we stand with you.”. He added the FBI has received more than 400 tips from the public, some from New Orleans and others from other states. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry opened the press conference by describing the investigation as a “1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle”.
