TEXAS OFFICIALS ASSISTING IN INVESTIGATION INTO NEW ORLEANS ATTACK

  

Texas authorities are now involved in the investigation into what is being described by the FBI as “an act of terrorism”, after a pickup truck drove through a crowd in New Orleans’ French Quarter early New Year’s Day.

At least 14 people were killed and dozens more were injured in the attack on Bourbon Street.  Two police officers were injured in a shootout with the suspect, who the FBI says opened fire on them after exiting his vehicle.  He was shot and killed at the scene.

The New Orleans coroner’s office has revised the number of victims killed from 15 to 14, stating the original number included the suspect. 

The deceased suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran.  The FBI says Jabbar was driving a Ford pickup that appears to have been rented and is investigating how Jabbar came into possession of the vehicle. 

A search of the vehicle resulted in investigators finding an ISIS flag, weapons and a potential improvised explosive device (IED).  Other possible IEDs were also found in the French Quarter.  

Originally, the FBI believed Jabbar did not act alone, but this (Thursday) morning, officials said at a news conference that they do not assess involvement from anyone else in the attack and that there is no additional threat to the public.

The FBI also says Jabbar posted several videos online where he proclaimed his support for ISIS. 

According to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Jabbar was living in the Houston area.  The FBI’s Houston office on Wednesday was conducting “a court-authorized search” of a location near the intersection of Hugh Road and Crescent Peak Drive in North Houston, in coordination with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.  Officials confirmed their activity was related to the attack in New Orleans but could not release further information due to their investigation. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he has been briefed by the Texas Department of Public Safety and has commanded the agency to thoroughly investigate the attack to ensure there is no threat in Texas.  

Lee County Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger issued a statement this afternoon in reference to reports that the Texas Rangers were in Lee County on Wednesday, discussing potential connections to the suspect.  Durrenberger said after conducting an investigation, there was “never a threat to public safety” in Lee County in relation to the attack in New Orleans. 

KBTX-TV in Bryan reported that some of Jabbar’s close family may at some point have lived in the region, including in Bryan.

The Bryan Police Department posted Wednesday night on social media to address what it called “false media and social media information” regarding claims of possible terrorist cells being located in Bryan.  The department said it has been in “continuous communication” with its federal law enforcement partners and that, at this time, “no confirmed links to Bryan have been identified during the ongoing federal investigation.”