FBI gives info on efforts to link NOLA terror attack and Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion
FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia said at a Thursday press conference that investigators have found "no definitive link" between the New Orleans terror attack that killed at least 15 people and the Cybertuck explosion in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas that killed the driver.
"Early this morning, evidence response teams finished their work at the crime scene. Bourbon Street has been turned over to the City of New Orleans," Raia said. "As you know, there's also an FBI investigation in Las Vegas. 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."
Raia also said, "We do not believe the public is in danger" at any other location in New Orleans related to the attack perpetrated by 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar.
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Earlier in the press conference, Raia said they believe Jabbar acted alone.
Raia gave a timeline of what led up to the attack.
"Investigators believe Jabbar picked up the rented F-150 in Houston, Texas, on December 30th. He then drove from Houston to New Orleans on the evening of the 31st, and he posted several videos to an online platform proclaiming his support for ISIS. There were five videos posted on Jabbar's Facebook account, which are time stamped beginning at 1:29 a.m. and the last at 3:02 a.m. In the first video, Jabbar explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the, quote, 'war between the believers and the disbelievers,' end quote. Additionally, he stated he had joined ISIS before this summer. He also provided a will and testament."
Raia also emphasized that Jabbar was "born in the United States," contradicting statements about illegal immigration made by President-elect Donald Trump.
The FBI is continuing to search a New Orleans home "for potential evidence" and has already recovered three phones and two lap tops linked to Jabbar," Raia said, adding, "digital media exploitation is a priority to see what is on the devices and determine if there are any other potential leads."