The FBI released information about the truck attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people

On Thursday (Jan. 2), the FBI released an update on a US Army veteran’s rampage in New Orleans. At the same time, 14 people died, at least 35 were injured Shamsud-Din Jabbar on New Year’s Day drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd of people.

According to Associated Presslaw enforcement agencies confirmed that Shamsud-Din acted alone in the attack. However, he was inspired by the Islamic State group.

The AP reports that it was the deadliest IS-inspired attack on US soil in years. Among the dead were an 18-year-old aspiring nurse, a single mother, a father of two, and a former Princeton University football star.

Read more about the terrorist attack in New Orleans

The FBI also released more details about the now-deceased driver, who was a US citizen from Texas. A few hours before the attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar published five videos on his Facebook account in which he announced his support for ISIS militants.

In his videos, Jabbar also warned about the violence he planned to commit in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter. One clip shows him admitting that he initially planned to harm family and friends. However, he changed his mind because he was afraid that the headlines would not focus on the “war between believers and unbelievers.”

“It was a terrorist act. It was a deliberate and evil act,” said Christopher Raya.

Christopher is the Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. He assured the public that Jabbar was “100% inspired” by the Islamic State. As mentioned, Jabbar killed 14 people celebrating the holiday when he drove around a barricade and crashed into the crowd. He later died in a shootout with the police.

According to the FBI, Shamsud-Deen Jabbar picked up a rental truck in Houston on Dec. 30 and drove it to New Orleans the next day. Surveillance video later shows Jabbar placing an improvised explosive device in a refrigerator on the city’s Bourbon Street. However, the agency is confident that no one else seen in the footage helped Jabbar carry out the attack. However, the investigation plans to question them as witnesses. Jabbar’s device is in a cooler and another device was secured at the scene. The other devices he placed did not function.

The FBI also recovered a black Islamic State flag from Jabbar’s rented pickup truck. In addition, he left a will, the agency reports.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s brother speaks out

For context, Jabbar joined the Army in 2007, served active duty in human resources and information technology, and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He joined the Army Reserve in 2015 and left in 2020 as a staff sergeant.

Abdur-Rahim JabbarJabbar’s younger brother, told The Associated Press on Thursday that it “doesn’t seem real” that his brother could have done it.

“I never would have thought it would be him,” he said. “It doesn’t look like him at all.”

He said his brother has been isolated in the past few years, but he has also been in contact with him and he sees no signs of radicalization. “It’s completely at odds with who he was and how his family and friends know him.” said the brother.

The FBI is shutting down any links between the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks

Authorities in New Orleans finished processing the crime scene early Thursday morning, including removing the last of the bodies. Bourbon Street, known around the world for its music, outdoor drinking and festive atmosphere, reopened for business in the early afternoon.

Another incident took place 1,500 miles from Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring others. Local police are still investigating whether the incident was targeted or a terrorist attack. However, it has been confirmed that the New Year’s explosion was NOT a mechanical problem with the Cybertruck. The incident happened in front of the Trump International Hotel.

Raya from the FBI emphasized that there is there is no connection between what happened in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

RELATED: Officials explain Tesla cybertruck explosion near Trump hotel on New Year’s Day

Associated Press reporters who contributed to this report included Eric Tucker, Jim Mastian, Kevin McGill, Eck Brook, Stephen Smith, Chevel Johnson, Brett Martel, Jeff Martin, Alana Durkin Reacher, Tara Cope, Zeke Miller, Darlene Superville in New- Casle, Colin Long, and Michael R. Sisak.