The FBI is investigating the possible link between the assailants in the two deadly New Year’s Day attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, 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 after evading police barriers. Officials do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are investigating whether he had accomplices.
Investigators are 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 believd to have served at the same military base, sources told Denver7.
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.”
FBI confirms suspect is US citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas
Sugar Bowl postponed after Bourbon Street attack
Suspect’s truck reportedly had ISIS flag
Driver ‘dead’ after ramming car into crowd killing 15 on Bourbon Street
08:05 , Holly Evans
07:59 , Josh Marcus
A New Year’s celebration in New Orleans was interrupted when a terrorist slammed into a crowd of revelers, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street when a suspect rammed into a crowd. More than 30 others were injured in the attack and have been transported to hospitals. Police warn the death toll could change as more information is received.
The FBI is investigating the incident “as an act of terrorism” and say it was carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar. Authorities say he had an ISIS flag on his truck as he plowed into the crowd, according to reports. Details about his life and background are starting to be revealed as investigators search for information about what led to the attack.
Kelly Rissman has the details.
Shamsud Din Jabbar: Everything we know about suspected New Orleans terrorist
07:00 , Josh Marcus
President-elect Donald Trump used the mass-killing event in New Orleans, where a truck driver slammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street and left 10 people dead, to talk about immigration despite the fact police had not confirmed the identity of the suspect.
The president-elect posted on Truth Social Wednesday saying that immigrants were more likely to commit worse crimes than U.S. citizens.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true. The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”
It was later confirmed that Shamsud Din Jabbar, an American citizen born and raised in Texas who served in the US Army, perpetrated the attack.
Eric Garcia reports.
Trump slams migrants in comments about New Orleans attack
06:00 , Josh Marcus
At least 15 people are dead and over 30 injured after a suspected terrorist plowed into a crowd of revelers celebrating New Year’s festivities in New Orleans’ popular French Quarter neighborhood.
FBI agents are now leading the investigation into the suspected terrorist attack on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, as people celebrated the start of the New Year.
The game has been postponed until January 2, with kickoff at 4pm ET. The game will be shown on ESPN.
“All parties agree that it’s in the best interests of everybody and of public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said during a press conference.
Justin Baragona reports.
Sugar Bowl updates: Everything we know about the status of the playoff game
05:29 , Mike Bedigan
05:00 , Josh Marcus
Terror filled Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day after a terrorist drove his truck – with an ISIS flag on the back – into crowds, leaving at least 15 dead and 35 hurt.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the FBI confirmed that 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar was the deceased suspect, adding that he was a U.S. citizen from Texas.
The bureau also noted that Jabbar was driving a Ford pickup truck that he appeared to have rented and they were investigating how he came into possession of the vehicle.
Investigators say that an improvised explosive device was found in the truck with several others also discovered in the French Quarter.
Justin Baragona and Alex Croft have the details.
New Orleans attack suspect is identified and had ISIS flag on truck
04:30 , Mike Bedigan
Melania Trump called for an end the the “brutality” following the deaths of at least 15 people in the New Year terror attack in New Orleans.
“The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop,” the former first lady wrote on X.
“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss. Let us strive for a future where peace prevails.”
The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss.
Let us strive for a future where peace prevails.— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 1, 2025
Her husband on the other hand, while praising the responses of emergency services, used the incident totalk about immigration despite police later confirming the dead suspect was a U.S citizen.
04:00 , Josh Marcus
03:00 , Josh Marcus
In the aftermath of the New Orleans truck attack, state police reportedly investigated a group of four individuals seen on video appearing to place explosive devices.
The video prompted officials to suggest suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar didn’t act alone.
Those individuals have reportedly been ruled out as suspects, according to NBC News.
02:30 , Mike Bedigan
Car-sharing company Turo said it was “actively partnering” with authorities after it was revealed that both vehicles used in the New Years Day incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas were rented through the company.
In a statement , the company said it was “heartbroken” by the violence in both cities. “We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat,” it said.
In New Orleans, a man who rented a truck from Turo intentionally drove it into a crowd, killing 15 perople.
In Las Vegas, a rented Cybertruck parked outside the Trump International Hotel exploded, killing the person inside and injuring seven others.
02:00 , Josh Marcus
Officials found two explosive devices on Wednesday in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the site of the truck attack over night.
About 30 minutes after the attack, police found a bomb near a set of squad cars packed with nails and plastic explosives.
A second bomb was found on Bourbon Street, NOLA.com reports.
01:30 , Josh Marcus
The Allstate Sugar Bowl college football quarterfinal will be played tomorrow at 3 p.m. Central time, after being postponed from its original Wednesday start time due to the terror attack in New Orleans.
01:10 , Josh Marcus
New Orleans terror suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar was a normal, well-behaved kid, according to childhood friend Chris Pousson.
He said Jabbar “wasn’t a troublemaker at all.”
“He made good grades and was always well-dressed in button-ups and polo shirts,” Pousson told The New York Times.
The pair reconnnected on social media around 2017, by which point Jabbar had embraced a newfound emphasis on faith.
“He was never threatening any violence, but you could see that he had gotten really passionate about his faith.”
00:50 , Josh Marcus
00:22 , Josh Marcus
A man was reportedly seen surrendering with his hands up to a SWAT team at the Texas home of New Orleans terror suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
News crews witnessed the surrender, as well as at least four children and five adults being brought outside the Harris County property, Click2Houston reports.
00:10 , Josh Marcus
Nicole Perez, 27, the mother to a four-year-old, is among the 10 people killed in the New Year’s terror attack in New Orleans.
Perez, a deli manager in the New Orleans area, was out with friends for New Year’s Eve when a truck rammed pedestrians on Bourbon Street. She was taken to the hospital for her injuries and died.
“She was a great mother,” family spokesperson Kimberly Usher-Fall, Perez’s employer, told ABC News. “She just was a really exciting little young lady and she was getting herself together.”
Perez leaves behind a four-year-old son, Melo.
“She was so beautiful and full of life,” Usher-Fall added. “Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee. I’m hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation.”
00:07 , Josh Marcus
Joe Biden offered his condolences after the New Orleans attack, but had little new factual information about the suspect or nature of the investigation into the attack.
“I grieve with you,” Biden said Wednesday afternoon from Camp David. “Our nation grieves with you. We’re going to stand with you as your mourn and as you heal in the weeks to come.”
The president did offer a few new insights though.
“Mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicated that he was inspired by ISIS, especially the desire to kill,” Biden said of suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
The president added that officials are scrutinizing any “possible connection” between a Tesla that exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas and the truck attack in Louisiana.
“Thus far there’s nothing to report on that score at this time,” Biden said.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 23:51 , Josh Marcus
Joe Biden will be speaking any minute from Camp David.
The president is expected to offer his condolences and provide updates on the investigation into the New Orleans terror attack.
Watch his speech here.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 23:40 , Josh Marcus
New Orleans terror suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar had a troubled home life, according to his ex-wife Shaneen McDaniel.
Jabbar accumulated significant debts through “excessive cash withdrawals,” “gifts to paramours” and “unreasonable and unnecessary spending,” according to court filings related to a divorce proceeding.
The debts included $16,000 in credit card debt and $27,000 in past due housing payments, according to NOLA.com.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 23:25 , Josh Marcus
President Biden is following the details of the investigation into the New Orleans truck attack.
The president, according to pool reports, spoke with his homeland security team at Camp David on Wednesday. The call included Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 23:10 , Josh Marcus
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the now-deceased terror suspect in the New Orleans truck attack, had a lengthy career with the U.S. military.
Jabbar, after attempting unsuccessfully to join the Navy, served in the Army beginning in 2006.
He deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, served in administrative roles, and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 2020, NBC reports.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:53 , Josh Marcus
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans terror attack, had begun acting “all crazy” over the last year, according to Dwayne Marsh, Jabbar’s ex-wife’s new husband.
Marsh told The New York Times Jabbar was a recent convert to Islam and that the suspect’s two daughters were “a mess” after the Louisiana attack, which killed 15 people.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:43 , Josh Marcus
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:35 , Josh Marcus
Two Israelis were among the roughly 35 people injured during the New Orleans New Year’s truck attack.
“Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in New Orleans,” Gideon Sa’ar of the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs wrote on X. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims. Wishing a swift recovery to the two injured Israeli citizens and all the wounded. I instructed Israel’s Consul General in Houston to immediately deploy a representative to the scene. Terror has no place in our world. Israel stands in solidarity with New Orleans and the United States.”
Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in New Orleans. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims. Wishing a swift recovery to the two injured Israeli citizens and all the wounded. I instructed Israel’s Consul General in Houston to immediately deploy a…
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) January 1, 2025
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:33 , Josh Marcus
The landlord of New Orleans truck attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar said she was “shocked” to learn the Texas man was accused of killing 10 people in a terror attack over New Year’s Eve.
Asia Maryam told NOLA.com Jabbar began renting a mobile home in Houston, Texas, two years ago.
She said Jabbar, who served in the U.S. Army, always paid his rent in cash, never created any problems, and told her he was planning to move to New Orleans.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:15 , Josh Marcus
The shockingly violent attack in New Orleans is horrific.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families, the emergency responders and the people of the United States at this tragic time.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 1, 2025
Wednesday 1 January 2025 22:00 , Josh Marcus
New Orleans truck attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar was a U.S. Army veteran, according to officials.
Investigators, who said Jabbar had an ISIS flag with him at the time of the attack, will surely be looking into how Jabbar was radicalized and whether this took place during his time in the military.
The military and Department of Homeland Security have worked in recent years to investigate extremism in the ranks.
FBI: Soldier linked to racist post, online extremism
Pentagon issues rules aimed at stopping rise of extremism
Homeland Security launching internal review to root out white supremacy in its ranks
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:40 , Josh Marcus
New Orleans truck attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar had a previous criminal history, according to records obtained by Click2Houston.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen who lived in Harris County, Texas, was arrested in 2002 and 2005 by the Katy and Beaumont, Texas, police departments, respectively.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:25 , Josh Marcus
Police and reporters converged on a Houston, Texas, home linked to Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in today’s truck attack on New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans.
“That’s very wrong and it’s a threat for us too and whoever it is, he need [sic] to get the punishment,” Faisal Siddiqui told The Texas Newsroom and Houston Public Media. “I just heard about this too and I’m scared because I have kids at my home.”
Wednesday 1 January 2025 21:10 , Josh Marcus
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans, reportedly had a military and corporate career before driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street in what’s being investigated as a terror attack.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen who referred to himself as a native of Beaumont, Texas, worked in human resources and information technology in the U.S. military for a decade, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Public records obtained by the outlet show he underwent a divorce and made a comfortable living of $120,000 with the consulting firm Deloitte in the years before the attack.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 20:55 , Josh Marcus
Tiger Bech, 28, a former wide receiver for the Princeton University football team, was among those killed in the New Orleans truck attack, according to the athletic director at his former high school, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, in the city of Lafayette.
Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us ❤️ https://t.co/8sSFf564Mb
— Jack Bech (@jackbech7) January 1, 2025
“Love you always brother!” his brother Jack Bech, a current wide receiver at Texas Christian University, wrote on X. “You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”
Wednesday 1 January 2025 20:40 , Josh Marcus
As part of their investigation into the New Orleans truck attack, officials are reviewing video of a group of three men and a woman placing potential explosives, the Associated Press reports.
We’ll follow this story for all the latest updates.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 20:25 , Josh Marcus
Federal, state, and local officials are descending on New Orleans to secure the city, after a suspected terror attack on New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street.
One hundred military police will be deployed to support local officials, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced on Wednesday.
Louisiana officials postponed the Sugar Bowl until Thursday, and are insisting the high-profile college football quarterfinal will still go forward and be fully secured.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 20:10 , Josh Marcus
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is calling on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray to appear before Congress after the New Orleans car attack.
“The Senate should demand the public testimony of Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray immediately,” Hawley wrote on X on Wednesday. “That duo has been skipping out on hearings for months. Now there’s been a deadly attack on American soil. They need to provide answers.”
After the horrific attack in New Orleans, Alejandro Mayorkas needs to be called to testify before the Senate immediately – BEFORE Biden leaves office. ACCOUNTABILITY
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 1, 2025
The Senate should demand the public testimony of Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray immediately. That duo has been skipping out on hearings for months. Now there’s been a deadly attack on American soil. They need to provide answers pic.twitter.com/aiaTWX20PN
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 1, 2025
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:59 , Josh Marcus
New Orleans police said Wednesday the individual who rammed a car through a crowd celebrating New Year’s on Bourbon Street “defeated” security plans meant to secure the heavily trafficked pedestrian area.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said police stationed officers, cars, and barriers around the French Quarter, where barriers from a previous bollard system were down for repair.
Suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar evaded these barriers by driving onto a sidewalk, Kirkpatrick said.
“We did indeed have a plan, but the terrorist defeated it,” she told reporters.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:50 , Josh Marcus
The New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans is the second major car-based attack at a public holiday event in less than two weeks.
In late December, a driver rammed into a crowd of shoppers at a German Christmas market in the city of Madgeburg, killing at least five people and injuring 200.
German Christmas market: Everything we know about car attack that killed five
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:36 , Josh Marcus
Louisiana officials are hoping to reassure the public that the upcoming Sugar Bowl, which has been postponed until tomorrow after the New Year’s car attack, will be safe.
“Your governor is going to be there,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said during a press conference on Wednesday. “That is proof, believe you me, that the facility in this city is safer today than it was yesterday.”
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:31 , Josh Marcus
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:25 , Josh Marcus
Officials have decided to postpone the 2025 Sugar Bowl college football game, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday.
“All parties and all agree that it’s in the best interests of everybody and of public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said on Wednesday during a press conference. “Work is fast about to set up a safe and efficient and fun environment for tomorrow night. There will be more details on that in the coming hours, but for now that’s the plan.”
Senator John Kennedy said during the press conference the decision to postpone the game was “very wise.”
“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know, and it’s just not worth it,” he said.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:20 , Josh Marcus
Last night should have been a joyous celebration of the new year. Instead, a horrific incident occurred that left the New Orleans community mourning. The FBI is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism.
My thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy and their…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 1, 2025
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:13 , Josh Marcus
Officials believe New Orleans car attack suspect 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar worked alone.“We do not believe Jabbar was solely responsible,” FBI agent Alethea Duncan said on Wednesday during a press conference. “We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates.”
Wednesday 1 January 2025 19:02 , Josh Marcus
Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was among the 10 people killed in the New Orleans car attack during New Year’s celebrations, according to family.
His cousin Shirell Jackson told NOLA.com that Hunter got off work and headed to Bourbon Street with a cousin. “They decided to go out there because he came in from work and said, ‘Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go to the city,” Jackson said. “Just something so simple. Hey cuz, had, wanna ride me to the city?”
Hunter died of his injuries, while his companion was injured, Jackson said.
Wednesday 1 January 2025 18:55 , Josh Marcus
Information is emerging about those impacted by the New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans.
Statement from President Jere W. Morehead:
I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
At this point, we have learned that a…
— UGA (@universityofga) January 1, 2025
A University of Georgia student was among the at least 30 people who were injured.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead wrote in a statement.
“At this point, we have learned that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment,” he added. “I have spoken to the student’s family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community.”
