NEW ORLEANS (NewsNation) — There were 14 people killed and 35 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Streets early Wednesday morning.
The suspect is also dead.
Officials are conducting searches in “a number” of states following the attacks, a late Wednesday statement from the FBI said.
The FBI said Thursday there is no definitive link between the Louisiana attack and a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel on Wednesday morning.
Suspect Identified in NOLA attacks
The FBI confirmed Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, has been identified as the man who was shot and killed by police after the deadly New Year’s Day attack. 
Newly released surveillance photos show Shamsud- Din Jabbar a little more than an hour before the deadly Bourbon Street attack. 
Newly released surveillance photos show Shamsud- Din Jabbar a little more than an hour before the deadly Bourbon Street attack. 
Newly released surveillance photos show Shamsud- Din Jabbar a little more than an hour before the deadly Bourbon Street attack.
The FBI identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as the man who was shot and killed by police after the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
The FBI released new photos Thursday on X of the suspect a little more than an hour before the deadly Bourbon Street attack.
Two of the images show the suspect wearing a long, tan coat and jeans. Another image shows a cooler with a long handle that was placed near Bourbon and Orleans streets, according to the FBI.
Jabbar was part of the regular Army from March 2007 to January 2015 as a human resource specialist (42A) and information technology specialist (25B) before transitioning to the Army Reserve as an IT specialist from January 2015 to July 2020.
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010 and held the rank of staff sergeant at the time of his discharge, according to an Army spokesperson.
The agency said that Jabbar is a U.S. resident from Texas.
FBI Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are carrying out a “court-authorized search” on the north side of Houston. The agency has not directly said that the search has anything to do with Jabbar, though multiple outlets report a person surrendering with hands raised outside a home Wednesday afternoon.
FBI officials said at a news conference Wednesday that investigators do not believe Jabbar acted alone in the attack. However, at another news conference Thursday, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said no other suspects are believed to be involved “at this point.” New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick also said there are currently no other suspects.
Biden said Wednesday evening that Jabbar posted videos to social media talking about ISIS just hours before the attack took place. Jabbar stated he joined ISIS before the summer and provided a will and testament, according to the FBI.
Imam Fahmee Al-Uqdah, who says he has known Jabbar’s family for decades, told NewsNation that the family is shocked, saddened , very surprised and embarrassed, all at the same time.
Airbnb rental potentially tied to Shamsud-Din Jabbar
FBI special agents said to NewsNation that a St. Roch Airbnb located just 1.5 miles from where the attack took place is an FBI crime scene. It was potentially rented by Jabbar.
Despite heavy law enforcement presence, they have not confirmed a connection to the suspect of the Bourbon Street attack.
A fire broke out at the rental early Wednesday morning, leaving dozens of people to evacuate. They were asked to leave around 8 a.m.
NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello spoke to witnesses on the scene who said they noticed a white pickup truck parked in the driveway recently, but no one reported seeing Jabbar.
Wylie Whitesides, who lives just two doors down from the Airbnb, tells NewsNation that he’s “90% sure” he saw Jabbar at the Airbnb. Whitesides added that when he crossed paths with the guest, he got a “sketchy feeling.”
Whitesides has spoken to the FBI and shared the same information.
Other enforcement agencies near the Airbnb included Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and New Orleans police and fire squads. NewsNation has reached out to Airbnb for more information but has not received any statements so far.
Deadly Bourbon Street attack
Kirkpatrick said two police officers were shot in what Mayor LaToya Cantrell described earlier Wednesday as a “terrorist attack.” On Thursday, the agency confirmed it was an “act of terror” with intent.
The New Orleans Police Department said officers responded to reports of a vehicle driving into a crowd at 3:17 a.m. Multiple people were hit before the vehicle crashed.
After the vehicle came to a stop, New Orleans police say the suspect opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was shot and declared dead on the scene, authorities said.
The FBI said Jabbar was driving a Ford pickup truck that appeared to have been rented. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Turo, the rental car company, said it was not currently aware of anything in Jabbar’s background that would have identified him as a threat when he rented the truck.
The incident came toward the end of New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans and hours before the kickoff of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal held in the city’s Caesars Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.
Officials said Wednesday that the game between Notre Dame and Georgia would be postponed for 24 hours and be played Thursday night. Bourbon Street re-opened on Thursday afternoon before the Sugar Bowl.
Kirkpatrick said that police are ready and able to provide a safe space for Sugar Bowl fans. Law enforcement plans to implement water barriers.
IEDs found near Bourbon Street
Two improvised explosive devices were discovered in coolers near Bourbon Street, according to the FBI. Surveillance video shows Jabbar placing these devices there.
An IED is a bomb or explosive device that is designed to cause damage or destruction to people or property.
The FBI’s special agent bomb technicians are working with law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable, and they will work to render those devices safe.
The White House said Biden was briefed multiple times on the attack and has been in touch with Cantrell.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday that state and federal agencies were expected to be sent to New Orleans before the city hosts the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 
Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 
Emergency services attend the scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 
The scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 
Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) 
Superintendent of Police for the New Orleans Police Department Anne Kirkpatrick makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said that the act of evil should “trigger the gag reflex of every fair-minded American.”
City Councilmember Oliver Thomas told NewsNation he had been visiting victims and first responders at the emergency room.
“Our main concern right now is the condition of the victims … the officers who are involved in this grave, very unfortunate act,” he said.
At an intelligence briefing for members of Congress Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, asked questions about what can be done to keep communities safe, and make sure other attacks don’t happen.
Biden, Trump react to New Orleans attack
Biden, in a statement, mourned the loss of the victims.
“I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” it read in part.
President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement grieving the victims and praising law enforcement.
“The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” it read in part.
Vice President Kamala Harris wrote that her thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“Last night should have been a joyous celebration of the new year. Instead, a horrific incident occurred that left the New Orleans community mourning,” she said.
Harris added: “Any attack on any of our communities is reprehensible and unacceptable.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.