New Orleans attacker wore Meta sensible glasses – what else do we all know?

The perpetrator of a lethal New Yr’s Day assault in New Orleans visited the Louisiana metropolis twice within the months earlier than the assault and wore Meta sensible glasses as he apparently scoped out the scene and throughout the incident itself, the FBI has stated.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar additionally travelled to Egypt and Canada in 2023, although it’s not but clear if these journeys had been linked to the plot, stated investigators.

Fourteen folks died and at the least 35 extra had been injured as the motive force of the pick-up truck focused revellers within the French Quarter, in an assault that US officers say was impressed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

This is what we all know up to now.

At 03:15 native time on New Yr’s Day, Jabbar drove a pick-up truck via crowds gathered on Bourbon Road – recognized globally as one of many largest locations for New Yr’s Eve events – within the coronary heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Carrying a ballistic vest and helmet, the previous US Military soldier bought out of the automobile and commenced firing at cops, injuring two, investigators stated.

He died following the gunfight with three responding officers, the FBI stated.

A few hours earlier than the assault, Jabbar positioned two improvised explosive gadgets, or IEDs, in two coolers on Bourbon Road. A transmitter that was speculated to detonate the IEDs was present in his car, the FBI stated.

However the bombs didn’t go off as a result of Jabbar didn’t have entry to a detonator, stated investigators.

Bomb-making supplies had been additionally discovered at a close-by Airbnb the place Jabbar was staying and at his house in Houston, Texas.

He tried to burn down the Airbnb by setting a fireplace in a hallway, however the flames petered out earlier than firefighters arrived.

The white Ford he was driving was electrical and rented from the platform Turo six weeks beforehand.

Lyonel Myrthil, FBI particular agent in command of the New Orleans subject workplace, instructed a information convention on Sunday that the suspect within the assault had travelled to Cairo, Egypt, in the summertime of 2023. A number of days later he visited Ontario, Canada.

“Our brokers are getting solutions to the place he went, who he went with and the way these journeys might or might not tie into his actions right here,” Mr Myrthil stated.

Jabbar stayed at a rental house in New Orleans from 30 October for a number of days and CCTV exhibits him driving via the French Quarter on a bicycle carrying “Meta glasses” which are able to recording or livestreaming, stated Mr Myrthil.

The perpetrator additionally visited New Orleans on 10 November, and investigators are nonetheless monitoring his actions throughout that journey.

Jabbar additionally wore a pair of Meta sensible glasses whereas finishing up the assault on New Yr’s Day, however he didn’t activate the livestream perform, stated officers. The glasses had been discovered on him after his loss of life.

The 42-year-old US Military veteran was introduced up in Beaumont, a metropolis in jap Texas close to the Louisiana border.

He was raised Muslim however left the faith for a few years and solely not too long ago returned to his religion, his brother stated.

Based on a now-removed LinkedIn profile, Jabbar labored in numerous roles within the US Military, together with in human assets and IT, earlier than he was discharged in 2015.

He was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. His most up-to-date handle was in Houston.

He studied at Georgia State College from 2015-17, graduating with a level in pc info programs.

Accountancy agency Deloitte confirmed that Jabbar was employed by the corporate in 2021 and he reportedly additionally labored for Ernst & Younger.

The suspect had been married 3 times and had kids from two relationships. His first marriage resulted in 2012, and his second lasted from 2013-16. He married as soon as once more in 2017 earlier than divorcing in 2022.

Court docket data referring to Jabbar’s most up-to-date divorce level to monetary difficulties – together with his month-to-month bills, together with little one assist, exceeding his revenue.

Separate paperwork reveal that his then-wife had accused him of economic mismanagement and had obtained a short lived restraining order in opposition to him.

Jabbar additionally seems to have labored in actual property – holding a licence that expired in 2023. He had a prison report, referring to site visitors offences and theft.

His brother, Abdur Rahem Jabbar, instructed Houston information outlet KPRC that his household was shocked by the incident and that their hearts exit to the victims.

“We’re all grieving about this,” he stated. “This wasn’t the person I knew. This wasn’t the daddy, the son, that I knew. And in addition, this is not any illustration of Islam, or Muslims or the Muslim neighborhood.”

Throughout his drive from Houston to New Orleans, Jabbar posted movies on-line during which he professed his assist for IS, authorities stated.

In one of many clips Jabbar stated he initially supposed to hurt his household, however determined in opposition to it, believing it could not have illustrated the “conflict between the believers and the disbelievers”.

Jabbar stated within the movies that he joined IS earlier than the summer time and provided a will and testomony, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia stated.

However the FBI stated it believed Jabbar had acted alone.

“We now have not seen any indications of an confederate in the USA, however we’re nonetheless wanting into potential associates within the US and out of doors of our borders,” stated Mr Raia.

Investigators have up to now dominated out any connection between the New Orleans assault and an explosion of a car the identical morning exterior the Trump Lodge in Las Vegas, which killed the automobile’s driver and injured seven others.

Because the assault, police have used autos and barricades to dam site visitors at Bourbon and Canal streets, a well known nightlife and vacationer hotspot that’s crammed with eating places, bars and golf equipment with reside music.

President Joe Biden is planning to journey to New Orleans with First Woman Jill Biden on Monday to “grieve with the households and neighborhood members impacted by the tragic assault”.

The primary parade of the Carnival season main as much as Mardi Gras is because of happen on Monday night.

New Orleans can even host the Tremendous Bowl on 9 February.

Town beforehand put in retractable metal bollards to limit car entry to Bourbon Road, however the posts stopped working after being affected by Mardi Gras beads and different refuse.

The bollards weren’t in place on New Yr’s Eve, however will likely be changed forward of the Tremendous Bowl, officers stated.