New Orleans attack latest: Suspect's travel to Egypt under investigation | Live updates

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Last updated: Saturday, January 4, 2025 11:43AM GMT
Timeline of suspect Shamsud-Dim Jabbar's New Orleans attack
In the wake of the deadly car-ramming attack on New Orleans' bustling Bourbon Street, federal investigators have released a timeline of events surrounding the New Year's Day incident.

NEW ORLEANS -- Law enforcement agencies are expanding their investigation into the New Year's ramming attack on New Orleans' Bourbon Street which killed 14 people and injured dozens more in the early hours of Wednesday.

City and federal officials said an Army veteran -- identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42 -- was "hell-bent" on killing as many people as possible. The suspect drove a pickup truck around a parked police car serving as a barricade and plowed into crowds of revelers, officials said.

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.
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

The alleged attacker then exited the damaged vehicle armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers, law enforcement officials said. Jabbar was also armed with a handgun, sources told ABC News.

Officers returned fire, killing Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen from Texas, sources said.

Get the latest live updates here.

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Jan 03, 2025, 5:32 PM

FBI shares timeline of New Orleans attack investigation

The FBI shared a timeline of events on Thursday of Shamsud-Din Jabbar's movements leading up to the attack and the investigation.

Before summer 2024: Shamsud-Din Jabbar allegedly joins ISIS

Dec 30: Shamsud-Din Jabbar picks up rented Ford F15 in Houston, Texas

Dec 31: Jabbar drives rented truck from Houston to New Orleans, Louisiana. The drive is approximately five and a half hours, spanning over 340 miles.

Jan 1 at 1:29 a.m. CT: Jabbar posts five timestamped videos to an online platform between 1:29 a.m. and 3:02 a.m., where he allegedly proclaims his support for ISIS.

In the first video, he explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the "war between the believers and the disbelievers."

This is also when he states that he joined ISIS before the summer.

He also provided a last will and testament.

Jan 1 at 2:03 a.m. CT: Surveillance footage shows Jabbar as he walked along Dauphine Street near Governor Nicholls Street. He is dressed in a light brown long coat, a dark-colored button-down shirt, blue jeans and what appears to be brown dress shoes. The FBI says Jabbar is seen placing devices inside coolers near Bourbon Street before the attack. They believe he acted along and changed clothes, law enforcement officials say.

Jan 1 at 3:02 a.m. CT: Jabbar posts his last of the five videos.

Jan 1 at 3:15 a.m. CT: Jabbar opened fire after ramming pedestrians on Bourbon Street.

Jan 1: Following the attack, authorities recovered two improvised explosive devices left in coolers in the Bourbon Street area, the FBI said. Those were the only devices recovered and both were rendered safe.

Jan 1: In the aftermath of the deadly incident, family members and friends have begun identifying the 14 people killed on Bourbon Street.

Jan 2: Jabbar's divorces and financial difficulties come to light. The records also show that after his military service, Jabbar worked for Deloitte as he aimed to grow his own fledgling real estate business.

Jan 2: Bourbon Street crime scene turned back over to City of New Orleans.

Jan 2: Bomb-making materials linked to the suspect were recovered by FBI agents and local law enforcement at Jabbar's last known residence in Houston, Texas, sources confirmed to ABC News. The items found were also referred to as "precursor chemicals" by agents in the field, sources said. The items were found when agents executed a search warrant at Jabbar's home in the small community of Greenspoint, in north Houston.

ByMary Kekatos ABCNews logo
Jan 01, 2025, 9:41 PM GMT

Families begin to identify victims

Family members and friends have begun identifying the 15 people who died in the truck-ramming attack early Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Here's what we know about the victims so far:

Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez, 27 has been confirmed as one of the victims by Kimberly Usher-Fall, her employer and family spokesperson.

Perez leaves behind a 4-year-old son, Melo.

"It is with sadness that I write this GoFundMe. My friend and my manager of our store, Nicole, was killed this morning in the attack on New Orleans Bourbon Street," Usher-Fall wrote.

"She was so beautiful and full of life. Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee. I'm hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation."

Reggie Hunter

Reggie Hunter's death was confirmed by his first cousin, Shirell Jackson.

"He did not deserve this," she told ABC News' Diane Macedo. "It's senseless and cruel. I wish none of this had ever happened."

Jackson said Hunter, 37, leaves behind two sons. She described him as the "life of the party" with a big heart who was funny, loving and caring.

"This is hurting all of us differently and on so many levels," she said. "We were expecting so much life to live with our cousin ... Just a beautiful person that did not deserve this and had so much life to live."

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Jan 01, 2025, 7:19 PM GMT

FBI doesn't believe attacker was 'solely responsible,' asks public for help

Investigators believe the suspect in the New Orleans vehicle ramming attack was "not solely responsible," the FBI said during a news conference.

Officials are now asking for the public's help of identifying any associates of the suspect.

ABCNews logo
Jan 01, 2025, 7:09 PM GMT

Kamala Harris issues statement following New Orleans attack

In a new post on X, Vice President Harris said her "thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy and their families," and that she and President Biden will continue to be briefed on this "horrific incident."

"Any attack on any of our communities is reprehensible and unacceptable," Harris writes.

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Jan 01, 2025, 7:03 PM GMT

University of Georgia student critically injured in attack

A University of Georgia student was critically injured in Wednesday's vehicle ramming attack, school officials said.

The student is receiving medical treatment, UGA President Jere Morehead said.

The president's full statement is below:

"I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

"At this point, we have learned that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment. I have spoken to the student's family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community. I would like to express my gratitude to all the first responders who moved so quickly to help those affected by this senseless act of violence, as well as to the medical personnel who are caring for the injured.

"As we continue to hold the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, the University will do everything in its power to support those in our community who have been impacted by this unspeakable event."

Investigators work the scene after a person drove a vehicle into a crowd killing several, earlier on Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Investigators work the scene after a person drove a vehicle into a crowd killing several, earlier on Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.