FBI changes initial statement on New Orleans attacker: No connection found

The investigation continues into the attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, where 42-year-old attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd yesterday. Christopher Raia of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division emphasized at a press conference that the attack was "an act of terrorism." Raia stated, "My goal is to be as transparent as possible with you about what we have uncovered so far. First and foremost, let me be very clear about this point: this was an act of terrorism. This was a premeditated and heinous act."

Contrary to what was announced yesterday, Raia stated that "the attacker acted alone," adding, "At this time, we do not believe anyone other than Shamsud-Din Jabbar was involved in this attack." Referring to the explosion that occurred in a Tesla vehicle in front of Donald Trump's hotel in Las Vegas yesterday, Raia said, "As you know, there is also an FBI investigation in Las Vegas. We are following all potential leads. However, at this point, there is no definitive connection between the attack in New Orleans and the incident in Las Vegas."

Raia noted that security camera footage shows New Orleans attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar placing 2 improvised explosive devices in the Bourbon Street area hours before the attack, stating, "Both devices were rendered safe at the scene." Raia said, "What I can tell you right now is that he was 100 percent inspired by ISIS. We are investigating his social media and further interviews. We are working with our other partners to find a way to learn a little more about this connection." Raia also stated that the death toll in the attack was 14 and the number of injured was 35, noting that the previously announced death toll of 15 included the attacker, who died in a shootout with police.

FBI HAD SAID YESTERDAY "WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE ATTACKER ACTED ALONE"

Meanwhile, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan stated at a press conference held yesterday that they did not believe the attacker acted alone, saying, "We do not believe Jabbar is solely responsible. We are following every lead."

U.S. President Joe Biden stated in his remarks that Jabbar had uploaded videos to social media hours before the attack showing that he was inspired by the terrorist organization ISIS.

TESLA VEHICLE EXPLODED IN FRONT OF TRUMP'S HOTEL

An explosion occurred yesterday in a Tesla electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, parked in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, just days before Donald Trump is set to take office. The 37-year-old driver of the vehicle, Matthew Livelsberger, died, and 7 others were injured. It was reported that the vehicle first caught fire and then exploded.

"CAUSED BY FIREWORKS OR A BOMB"

Tesla owner and U.S. billionaire Elon Musk stated on social media, "We have confirmed that the explosion was caused by a large quantity of fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck, and it had nothing to do with the vehicle itself. Both this Cybertruck and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are connected in some way."

News Source: İHA