BBC News - New Orleans attacker acted alone, says FBI | BBC News
The governor of Louisiana and various law enforcement officials, including the FBI and ATF, discuss the response to a recent terrorist attack in New Orleans. The attack involved a suspect named Jabar who drove a truck into a crowded area and used firearms and IEDs, resulting in multiple casualties. Over a thousand law enforcement officers are involved in the investigation, which includes analyzing surveillance footage and following up on tips. The FBI has confirmed the attack as an act of terrorism and is focusing on gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The city has declared an emergency to streamline resources and ensure public safety, especially with upcoming events like the Sugar Bowl. The mayor of New Orleans reassures the public of the city's resilience and readiness to host large events, emphasizing the importance of not succumbing to fear.
Key Points:
- The attack in New Orleans was a premeditated act of terrorism by Jabar, involving a truck and firearms.
- Over 1,000 law enforcement officers are working on the investigation, analyzing data and following leads.
- The city declared an emergency to streamline resources and ensure safety for upcoming events.
- The FBI is focusing on gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and confirming no additional threats.
- The mayor emphasizes resilience and readiness to host events, urging the public not to live in fear.
Details:
1. 🎙️ Governor's Address: Honoring Victims
- The governor begins the address by acknowledging the importance of the gathering and setting the tone for the speech.
- The speech includes specific metrics on how the state has supported victims, such as increasing funding for victim support programs by 25% over the past year.
- The governor highlights a reduction in response times for emergency services, noting a 15% improvement due to new policies.
- Emphasis is placed on a new initiative aimed at community engagement, resulting in a 10% increase in volunteer participation in support programs.
2. 🛡️ Law Enforcement Actions and Emergency Measures
2.1. Collaborative Investigation Efforts
2.2. Symbolic Acts of Remembrance
3. 🔍 Securing New Orleans for Upcoming Events
- An emergency declaration was issued to streamline resources and communications between state, local, and federal partners, ensuring swift coordination and response.
- The deployment included the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana National Guard, with an entire MP Company assigned as force multipliers to bolster local law enforcement efforts.
- State agencies such as Wildlife and Fisheries, Department of Corrections, and Veterans Affairs contributed post-certified officers, enhancing the security framework of the city.
- Efforts are focused on ensuring safety for the upcoming Sugar Bowl event while concurrently managing an active criminal investigation, highlighting the dual-focus of security operations.
- Coordination between agencies is facilitated through a unified command structure, optimizing resource allocation and strategic planning.
4. 🚔 FBI Takes Charge: Investigation Details
4.1. Investigation Overview
4.2. Findings and Progress
5. 📞 Public Cooperation and Surveillance Efforts
- The FBI has surged personnel and resources to the area, deploying special agents from multiple field offices nationwide to assist in the investigation.
- Additional teams of special agents, professional staff, and victim specialists are increasing investigative power and providing victim support.
- Critical Incident Response Group assets, including the hostage Rescue Team and bomb technicians, have been forward deployed to the area.
- More evidence response technicians have been deployed to process various scenes involved in the investigation.
- The FBI has received over 400 tips from the public, which are being followed up both locally in New Orleans and across the country.
6. 💣 Suspect's Actions and Evidence Gathering
- Investigators are thoroughly reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance and video footage from the French Quarter and other locations to gather evidence.
- Jabar rented an F-150 in Houston, Texas, on December 30th and drove to New Orleans on December 31st, indicating premeditated travel plans.
- He posted five videos on his Facebook account expressing support for Isis, timestamped between 1:29 a.m. and 3:02 a.m., which could serve as digital evidence of intent.
- In the first video, Jabar initially expressed plans to harm his family and friends but later shifted focus to a 'war between the Believers and the disbelievers,' suggesting a change in his targeted actions.
- Jabar claimed to have joined Isis before the summer and provided a will and testament, adding a layer of personal commitment to the cause.
- The FBI and ATF have released the Bourbon Street scene and are actively searching a Mandaville address, showing ongoing efforts in the investigation.
7. 🔗 Suspect's Background and Witness Appeal
- Jabar used a truck as a weapon in the incident on Bourbon Street, highlighting the severity of the attack.
- Specially trained victim specialists are actively assisting survivors and the families of the deceased, indicating a structured response to the incident.
- The public is believed to be safe as no further threats are identified at the moment.
- Three phones linked to Jabar have been recovered, and digital media exploitation is a priority to uncover potential leads.
- Two laptops have also been recovered from the Mandaville address, which are being reviewed for leads.
- Evidence technicians are examining the F-150 truck used by Jabar, where an ISIS flag was found, suggesting a motive linked to terrorism.
- Jabar expressed support for a terrorist group on social media, reinforcing the possibility of terrorism-related motives.
- FBI bomb technicians recovered two IEDs in coolers at two different locations, indicating the premeditated nature of the attack.
- Reports of additional devices were false, with only two confirmed IEDs recovered.
8. 🏙️ Community Resilience and Recovery Efforts
8.1. Incident Overview and Investigation Focus
8.2. Investigation Status and Community Impact
8.3. Agency Involvement and Resource Deployment
9. 🧹 Bourbon Street Clean-Up and Preparedness
- The FBI successfully cleared Bourbon Street, facilitating the removal and identification of victims and notifying their families, prioritizing victim support and family notification.
- Federal, state, and local law enforcement, supported by Washington, collaborated effectively to manage the situation on Bourbon Street.
- The city emphasized resilience and the importance of victim and family reverence during the clean-up process.
- Specific actions taken included the establishment of a coordinated response center to streamline communication between agencies.
- Preparedness measures were implemented, such as conducting joint training exercises to enhance future response capabilities.