FBI authorities are currently going through several devices belonging to Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the attacker who rammed through a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day, killing 14 people before dying in a shootout with law enforcement.
Speaking in a press conference, deputy assistant director of the FBI's counter-terrorism division Christopher Raia called the attack a "premeditated and evil act" and provided a series of updates on the ongoing investigation.
Raia said evidence so far shows Jabbar acted alone, with nothing in the FBI's "systems indicating that he was aided." He nonetheless clarified that the situation is dynamic and assessments could change based on new evidence.
Authorities are currently going through three phones and two laptops belonging to Jabbar to get more information on his mindset before the attack. "We have a much better picture of what we're dealing with," Raia said. The bureau also obtained surveillance video showing Jabbar placing explosive devices where they were found.
He went on to claim that the FBI has received over 400 tips related to Jabbar and asked for anyone who served with him in the Army to come forward with any additional information that could help the investigation.
Raia added that Bourbon Street was specifically picked for the attack, but it is unclear whether there was any motive other than it being a crowded street where he could inflict more damage. Bourbon Street will be reopened ahead of the Sugar Bowl, which was set to take place on Wednesday but was postponed due to the attack. "The city of New Orleans, we're resilient," city Mayor Latoya Cantrell said.
Raia also said Jabbar was "100% inspired by ISIS" to carry out the attack, as a flag was found in the truck he used for the attack. In that context, Jabbar's brother Abdur said "radicalization, not religion" is to blame for his actions.
"This is more some type of radicalization," he added. Shamsud had "pledged allegiance to ISIS" in videos posted to his Facebook page before the attack took place.
Originally published on Latin Times
