Law enforcement officials have said they believe that Shamsud-Din Jabbar is solely responsible for the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
Jabbar, 42, killed at least 14 people and injured dozens after evading police barriers and ramming a truck into a crowd of revellers on New Orleans’s Bourbon Street on Wednesday morning. Police shot and killed Jabbar.
The FBI is now looking at the possible link between Jabbar, a US citizen and Army veteran, and the driver in the Tesla Cybertruck blast outside Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel which took place just hours earlier. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a former Army veteran of Colorado Springs, was allegedly behind the wheel when the vehicle exploded, according to local media reports. Livelsberger and Jabbar are believed to have served at the same military base, sources told Denver7.
Officials have found no “definitive” evidence tying the two attacks together.
President Joe Biden said that Jabbar was “inspired by ISIS” and had a “desire to kill. He said: “I know while this person committed a terrible assault on the city, the spirit of our New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated. It always will shine forth.”
Key Points
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‘No definitive link’ between Las Vegas truck explosion and New Orleans attack, FBI says
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Jabbar posted videos about joining ISIS hours before the attack: FBI
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New Orleans attacker acted alone, according to officials
Trump takes swipe at Biden in wake of New Orleans attack
18:00 , James Liddell
Brother says New Orleans terror suspect converted to Islam long ago: ‘This is more some type of radicalization’
17:40 , James Liddell
The brother of the New Orleans terror attack suspect said his actions were the result of “some type of radicalization” and did “not represent Islam.”
Just after 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, police say 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into a New Orleans crowd before opening fire, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others. Jabbar, who died in a shootout with police, had an ISIS flag in his truck. He also posted several Facebook videos hours before the attack in which he “pledged allegiance to ISIS.”
The FBI is now investigating the attack as “an act of terrorism.”
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
New Orleans terror suspect converted to Islam long ago, his brother says
Governor hopes to give full timeline of events early next week
17:19 , James Liddell
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said the authorities may be able to “walk everyone through” a timeline of the incident by early next week and said it’s “extremely premature” to divulge details.
“It would be my hope that, as some additional time goes [by], maybe closer to the beginning of next week, if we’ve got it to what extent buttoned up as we could, I would work with the FBI and the city, and maybe we could come up with a timeline to be able to get you those information,” Landry told reporters.
“Kind of walk everyone through from day one.”
Governor calls New Orleans ‘one of the safest places on Earth’
17:07 , Josh Marcus
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry asserted that New Orleans is “one of the safest places on Earth”.
After being probed by a reporter who said that just 12 hours ago, the FBI was telling those in New Orleans to be vigilant, the governor noted that information was subject to change.
“Everbody lives in a 15-second TikTok video,” Landry said. “We think that life operates like it does on our mobile phones and it just doesn’t.”
He later added: “Guess what I do know right now, this is one of the safest places on Earth. It doesn’t mean that nothing can happen.”
Bourbon street to be reopened prior to Sugar Bowl game, mayor says
16:59 , James Liddell
Bourbon Street is due to be opened before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl this afternoon, the New Orleans mayor said.
LaToya Cantrell said that the city is working on reopening the street by 2.30 p.m. local time.
New Orleans mayor says that victims were ID’d after being removed from Bourbon Street
16:55 , James Liddell
LaToya Cantrell, the New Orleans Mayor, said that victims were Identified and their families notified, as their bodies have been removed from Bourbon Street.
“The FBI was able to clear Bourbon Street,” Cantrell said.
“What that meant… was that we were able to remove our victims, identify them and notify their families.”
‘No definitive link’ between Las Vegas truck explosion and New Orleans attack, FBI says
16:46 , James Liddell
“As you know, there’s also an FBI investigation in Las Vegas,” said Christopher Raia, the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director of its Counter Terrorist Division.
“We are following up on all potential leads and not ruling everything out. However, at this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas.”
Jabbar posted videos about joining ISIS hours before the attack, FBI says
16:42 , James Liddell
Shamsud-Din Jabbar posted several videos to an online platform, proclaiming his support for ISIS, Raia said.
He said they were time-stamped from between 1.29 a.m. and and 3.02 a.m. on January 1.
In the first video, Jabbar explains he orginally planned to hurt his friends and family, but was concerned that the media would not focus on the “war between believeres and the disbelievers,” Raia said.
Jabbar also stated that he joined ISIS befofe this summer, he added.
Lt. Gov of Texas calls for FBI agent’s dismissal and brands her comments ‘shocking, idiotic, and alarming’
16:40 , James Liddell
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick has called for the dismissal of FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan after she initially told reporters that the New Orleans attack “is not a terrorist event”.
Writing on X late on Wednesday, Patrick said: “The idea that the FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge in New Orleans said this morning that this was not a terrorist attack is shocking, idiotic, and alarming.
“If the agent was unsure, she should’ve said she didn’t know at that moment. The fact that the FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge said, with assurance, that this was not a terrorist attack should be reason for the agent’s termination.”
Later on Wednesday, Duncan said that the GBI did not believe Jabbar was “solely responsible” and were investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism”.
‘No one else involved beside Shamsud-Din Jabbar,’ FBI says
16:33 , James Liddell
“We do not assess at this point that anyone else is involved in this attack except for Shamsud-Din Jabbar,” the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director from its Counter Terrorist Division, Christopher Raia, said.
FBI agent denounces ‘evil act’ of terrorism
16:30 , James Liddell
The FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director from its Counter Terrorist Division, Christopher Raia, said: “First and foremost, let me be very clear about this point. This was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act.”
Over 1,000 law enforcement agents involved in investigation
16:26 , James Liddell
“Over 1000 law enforcement agents and officers – men and women – have been poring over countless amounts of data, of videos, of surveillances, interviews, tracking down every possible lead that came to us,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said.
Louisiana Governor begins giving update
16:23 , James Liddell
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has began giving updates in a news conference on the attack that unfolded on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Landry is joined by officials from the FBI, Louisiana State Police, New Orleans Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the US Attorney’s Office.
Watch live: FBI give update on New Orleans attack as officers probe terror link
16:05 , James Liddell
Watch live: FBI give update on New Orleans attack as officers probe terror link
Watch: New Orleans attack witness describes terrifying moment truck headed right towards him
15:59 , James Liddell
Who was Matthew Livelsberger, the Cybertruck explosion suspect who allegedly served at the same military base as Jabbar?
15:40 , James Liddell
Just hours after Shamsud-Din Jabbar rammed a truck into New Year’s Day revellers in New Orleans killing at least 15 people, reports came in of a second suspected terror attack in Las Vegas.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, media outlets in Colorado named Matthew Livelsberger as the man who detonated a Tesla Cybertruck outside Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel at 8.40 a.m. on Wednesday. Police are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack.
Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, died in the blast, with seven other sustaining minor injuries, police said. Officials have not yet confirmed the name of the suspect or identify any of those who were injured.
The two New Year’s Day attackers were both Army veterans and, according to a report from Denver 7, allegedly served at the same military base, Fort Bragg, and even served in Afghanistan around the same period.
James Liddell has the story.
Matthew Livelsberger: What we know about the Cybertruck explosion suspect
Louisiana Governor to provide updates in 40 minutes
15:20 , James Liddell
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is set to hold a news conference at 10 a.m. local time to provide updates on the attack that unfolded on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Landry will be joined by officials from the FBI, Louisiana State Police, New Orleans Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the US Attorney’s Office.
In pictures: Victims of the New Orleans attack revealed
15:00 , James Liddell
Former Princeton football star and aspiring nurse among named victims of the New Orleans terror attack
14:40 , James Liddell
At least 15 people were killed and dozens injured after a 42-year-old Army veteran plowed a truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans’ Bourbon Street in what the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism.”
The FBI later identified the suspect — who was killed after engaging in a shootout with police officers — as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen from Texas.
The bureau will lead the investigation and is working with law enforcement partners “to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” after an ISIS flag, weapons and a potential improvised explosive device (IED) were found inside the vehicle.
Justin Baragona and Mike Bedigan have the story.
Ex-Princeton football star and aspiring nurse: Victims of New Orleans terror attack
Watch live: New Orleans attack scene as FBI probes possible link between suspect and Cybertruck explosion
14:20 , James Liddell
Crystal Springs couple speak out after surviving deadly New Year’s Day attack
14:00 , James Liddell
A couple who survived the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans have spoken out about the horror that unfolded, after Shamsud-Din Jabbar ploughed a truck into revellers, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.
Jacob and Jessica Wilson were walking along Bourbon Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning when they spotted a large white truck headed straight for them.
“It had to be going 100 miles an hour when it came through, easily,” Jacob Wilson told Fox8Live. “A lot of people were on the ground already. You could tell they were deceased.”
Jabbar crashed about 30ft away from the Wilsons, the couple said.
“I don’t know if he was aiming for the officers where he crashed. When he hit, all the officers spread around, and all of a sudden, we looked over and there was rapid gunfire,” he said. “I guess they got him.”
After hearing gunfire while walking past a gentleman’s club at approximately 3 a.m., Jessica said she remembers her husband telling her: “‘We’ve got to get out of here or we’re going to die.’”
New Orleans attacker ‘dad-of-three and married twice’: report
13:40 , James Liddell
Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, the man who killed at least 15 people and injured dozens of others after ramming a truck into a crowd of revellers on New Orleans, had at least three children, according to Texas court records.
The documents, which were first reviewed by the Washington Post, also state he had been married twice.
The father-of-three had two daughters with his ex-wife, the current husband of one of his former partners told the newspaper. They are said to be 14 and 20-years-old.
Jabbar then allegedly remarried, before again becoming divorced in 2022. The pair share one son, according to The Post.
Watch: Biden says New Orleans attack suspect inspired by ISIS
13:20 , James Liddell
New Orleans attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar discusses military experience in resurfaced video
13:00 , James Liddell
New Orleans attack suspect discusses military experience in resurfaced video
Brits offered support from UK government follow New Orleans attack
12:40 , James Liddell
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has set up a helpline for British nationals following the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
Following the incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street, leaving 15 people dead and dozens more injured, the Foreign Office updated it’s travel advice for British citizens heading to – or staying in – the Louisiana city.
“On 1 January, an individual drove a vehicle into a crowd of people in New Orleans,” the website reads. “Any British nationals in need of assistance should call +1 202 588 6500 or visit contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/emergency-help. In the UK, call +44 (0) 20 7008 5000.”
The alert is still valid as of Thursday morning.
FBI releases more recent picture of Jabbar
12:20 , James Liddell
Investigators probing if Tesla explosion in Vegas linked to New Orleans attack
12:00 , Josh Marcus
Officials are investigating whether a Tesla that exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday is linked to a truck attack that killed 10 people celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans in the early hours of that morning.
Deadly Cybertruck explosion at Vegas Trump Tower investigated as possible terrorism
Bystander describes horror of New Orleans attack
11:40 , Josh Marcus
Pedestrians described a horrific scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a truck barreled into New Year’s revelers in New Orleans, killing 10.
Zion Parsons, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi, told the Associated Press he saw the truck “barreling through, throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air.”
“Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering,” he added.
His friend Nikyra Dedeaux was among those killed.
Photo emerges of Shamsud-Din Jabbar in Army uniform
11:20 , James Liddell
How the Louisiana congressional delegation reacted to New Orleans attack
11:00 , Josh Marcus
Let’s be clear: We will not rest until everyone involved in this terrorist attack is brought to justice. New Orleans is resilient—and we will not cower to this evil. #LouisianaStrong
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 1, 2025
2025 quickly took a tragic turn in New Orleans. Instead of waking up to a Happy New Year, we are grieving the loss of innocent lives and praying for all those who have been injured. Our city, state, and country are hurting. I want to thank our law enforcement officers who ran…
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) January 1, 2025
The attack on Bourbon Street this morning was evil.
I’m praying for every victim of this violence and am grateful to all the first responders who rushed toward danger to help the innocent today.
Every resource that law enforcement needs to get answers about this barbaric act…
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) January 1, 2025
Las Vegas Cybertruck suspect named as FBI investigates possible link to Jabbar
10:40 , James Liddell
The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, according to local media reports.
Multiple informed sources told ABC affiliate Denver 7 and KOAA News that Livelsberged, 37, a former Army veteran of Colorado Springs, was behind the wheel of the vehicle which exploded outside the Trump International Hotel at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sammy Davis Jr. Drive at 8.40 a.m. on Wednesday.
Livelsberger allegedly died in the blast, according to the sources. Police are yet to officially confirm the identity of the deceased individual.
James Liddell has the full story.
Matthew Livelsberger named as Cybertruck explosion suspect by local media
Watch: New Orleans attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar discusses military experience in resurfaced video
10:20 , James Liddell
Notre Dame reacts to New Orleans terror attack
10:00 , Josh Marcus
The University of Notre Dame offered its prayrs on Wednesday for those impacted by the New Orleans truck attack.
The school’s football team was set to play in the much-watched Sugar Bowl in the city on Wednesday, but the attack prompted officials to postpone the game for a day.
FBI probes possible ties between terror suspect and Cybertruck blast driver, though no clear evidence so far
09:53 , Josh Marcus
The FBI is investigating the possible link between the assailants – both Army veterans – in the two deadly New Year’s Day attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Police named Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, as the man who killed at least 15 people and injured dozens of others after ramming a truck into a crowd of revellers on New Orleans’s Bourbon Street on Wednesday morning.
Just hours earlier, a Tesla Cybertruck was detonated outside Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, killing the driver and injuring seven other bystanders. Matthew Livelsberger has been named by local media outlets as the alleged attacker, although police are yet to confirm the person’s identity.
Authorities are now investigating whether the two attacks were linked.
Livelsberger and Jabbar allegedly served at the same military base, sources told Denver7.
Las Vegas County Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted during the press conference on Wednesday that officials are “very well aware” of the New Orleans attack, where Jabbar, a Texas resident, rammed a truck into a crowd of people celebrating New Year’s Eve just hours earlier, killing at least 15 people.
