The New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, which claimed the lives of 14 individuals, was orchestrated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old who utilized a rented pickup truck to plow into pedestrians on Bourbon Street before engaging in a firefight with law enforcement, ultimately resulting in his own demise. The attack, initially appearing as a vehicular assault, revealed a deeper layer of premeditation and terroristic intent as investigators uncovered Jabbar’s plan to deploy homemade bombs. These bombs, constructed with “very rare explosives,” according to the FBI, contained r-salt, a highly volatile compound previously unseen in the US or Europe. This discovery raised immediate concerns about Jabbar’s potential connections to international terrorist networks or individuals who provided training in bomb-making and access to such rare materials.
The investigation revealed Jabbar’s meticulous planning. He had scouted the location on Bourbon Street using Meta smart glasses, capturing video footage as he cycled through the French Quarter. His travels to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, in the months preceding the attack are now under scrutiny, with investigators seeking to uncover any potential links to radicalization or training he may have received during these trips. The discovery of the r-salt-based bombs, coupled with his proclaimed allegiance to ISIS in videos posted on social media just hours before the attack, solidified the incident as an act of terrorism.
The crude construction of the bombs, however, suggested a lack of expertise. The FBI concluded that Jabbar’s inexperience with explosives and his improper choice of detonator were the likely reasons why the devices failed to explode. This failure averted a potentially even more devastating outcome, considering the high destructive capacity of r-salt. While the primary bombs contained this rare compound, investigators also found more conventional explosives, RDX, at Jabbar’s Airbnb and his Houston residence. The presence of a bomb-making workbench and various chemicals and tools at his home further confirmed Jabbar’s active involvement in the creation of these devices.
While the FBI believes Jabbar acted alone in the attack itself, the source of the r-salt and the potential for training or guidance from others remain central questions in the ongoing investigation. The possibility of radicalization during his trip to Egypt or involvement with ISIS is being explored. The discovery of an ISIS flag on the trailer hitch of the truck further strengthens this line of inquiry. The investigation is also looking into potential connections within the US, seeking to identify any individuals who may have aided Jabbar in obtaining the rare explosive materials or provided him with bomb-making instruction.
The New Orleans attack unfolded amidst a series of disturbing incidents across the US within a short timeframe. Just hours later, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver, a US Army Green Beret, and injuring seven bystanders. Although the driver, Matthew Livelsberger, served at the same military base as Jabbar, the FBI has not confirmed any direct link between the two incidents. Adding to the heightened security concerns, a vehicle was spotted driving erratically near the US Capitol, leading to a major lockdown just two days after the New Orleans attack. These incidents, occurring in close proximity, heightened anxieties across the nation, particularly given the upcoming major events planned in both Washington D.C. and New Orleans.
Among the victims of the New Orleans attack was 31-year-old Edward Pettifer, a British citizen visiting Louisiana with a friend. Tragically, Pettifer succumbed to blunt force injuries sustained during the attack. His death deeply saddened his family and friends, who described him as a beloved son, brother, and friend. The royal family also expressed their condolences, with King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton extending their sympathies to the Pettifer family. The attack served as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of terrorism and the enduring impact on the lives of innocent victims and their loved ones.
