Categories: U.S.

New Orleans terrorist suspect set fire at rental property prior to attack: FBI

close Video

New reports indicate New Orleans had security concerns before attack

Fox News senior correspondent Mike Tobin has the latest on new reports that suggest New Orleans officials were warned about security threats on ‘Special Report.’

The driver behind the deadly terrorist New Years’ attack in New Orleans set fire to his rental property in an effort to destroy bomb-making evidence prior to the attack, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) said.

In a joint statement on Friday, the agencies revealed that they believe 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar set a small fire in the hallway of his rented Airbnb before the attack, and “strategically placed accelerants throughout the house in his effort to destroy it and other evidence of his crime.” But they said the fire burned itself out before spreading to other rooms.

The smoldering of the fire allowed the FBI to recover evidence from the rented Airbnb, including “pre-cursors for bomb-making material and a privately made device suspected of being a silencer for a rifle,” the agencies said.

LAS VEGAS, NEW ORLEANS ATTACKS NOT CONNECTED: POLICE

  • Image 1 of 5 next

    Investigators search the rental home used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after Jabbar rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

  • Image 2 of 5 prev next

    Investigators search the rental home used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after Jabbar rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

  • Image 3 of 5 prev next

    Investigators search the rental home used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after Jabbar rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

  • Image 4 of 5 prev next

    Investigators search the rental home used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after Jabbar rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

  • Image 5 of 5 prev

    Investigators search the rental home used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after Jabbar rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

The FBI and the ATF also revealed new information on Jabbar’s movements prior to driving a high-speed vehicle down the popular Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT VICTIMS OF NEW ORLEANS TERRORIST ATTACK

Jabbar had also placed two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, along Bourbon Street, authorities said. He did not manage to detonate the two explosives prior to his death.

“The FBI assesses that during his attack on Bourbon Street, Jabbar intended to use a transmitter, that was found in the F150 truck, to detonate the two IED’s he placed on Bourbon Street,” the agencies said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)

In the latest update, the agencies said that all evidence recovery along Bourbon Street and at the Airbnb rental on Mandeville Street used by Jabbar has been completed.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“Evidence collected from multiple sites is being evaluated to further the investigation,” the agencies said.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.

Related Topics

  • New Orleans
  • Louisiana
  • Terror
  • FBI
  • US Crime
  • Crime
Share

Recent Posts

Luxury real estate moguls hit with new allegations in sex trafficking case

close Video Psychologist describes impact of Epstein's abuse on victims Kathryn Smerling, a psychologist and…

1 hour ago

Cop killer dies after ‘botched’ firing squad execution; witness in the room reveals how it happened

close Video Texas death row inmate speaks out after 'shocking' last-minute stay of execution Texas…

1 hour ago

Mostly women arrested in Columbia University library takeover: NYPD

close Video Columbia University anti-Israel agitators storm campus library Anti-Israel agitators at Columbia University stormed…

1 hour ago

Viral video shows Frontier Airlines reps’ airport meltdown that left passenger stunned

close Video Frontier contractors fired after viral video confrontation with customer Two Frontier Airlines contractors…

1 hour ago

White House highlights over $2B in savings from DEI cuts during Trump administration’s first 100 days

An analysis of the Trump administration's efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the…

1 hour ago

GOP talk on millionaire tax hike ‘makes no sense,’ Trump White House alum says

A former top aide in President Donald Trump's first administration is arguing that Republicans raising…

1 hour ago