The individual responsible for the fatal terrorist assault on New Orleans during New Year’s attempted to eliminate any evidence of bomb-making by starting a fire in the rental property, according to the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF).
A collaborative statement released on Friday by the two agencies disclosed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, aged 42, ignited a small fire in the hallway of his Airbnb before the assault, placing accelerants strategically throughout the residence in an attempt to destroy potential evidence. Fortunately, the fire extinguished itself before spreading to other areas.
The residual fire allowed the FBI to seize proof from the rented Airbnb, including “ingredients for bomb-making material and a custom-made object suspected to be a silencer for a firearm,” as stated by the agencies.
Jabbar had also placed two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, along Bourbon Street, authorities said. He did not manage to detonate the two explosives prior to his death.
“The FBI assesses that during his attack on Bourbon Street, Jabbar intended to use a transmitter, that was found in the F150 truck, to detonate the two IED’s he placed on Bourbon Street,” the agencies said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
In the latest update, the agencies said that all evidence recovery along Bourbon Street and at the Airbnb rental on Mandeville Street used by Jabbar has been completed.
“Evidence collected from multiple sites is being evaluated to further the investigation,” the agencies said.
