NEW ORLEANS: The FBI Texas field office has confirmed that they are executing a search operation in the hometown of the suspected perpetrator, Houston. According to a statement on X, no arrests have been made yet, and FBI personnel are expected to remain at the scene for several more hours. The operation involves specialized units such as SWAT teams and bomb squads, working alongside investigators to gather evidence and pursue leads. The authorities are focused on determining whether the suspect’s actions were part of a larger coordinated effort or an isolated incident.
At the same time, law enforcement agencies are conducting simultaneous searches in other locations, including New Orleans, Louisiana, and multiple other states. Investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the deadly New Year’s attack. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former IT specialist with the US Army, is believed to be the suspect involved. Authorities have revealed that a flag associated with the “Islamic State” (IS) terror group was discovered in his vehicle, raising concerns over possible links to extremist activities.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 3:15 AM local time on January 1, when the suspect reportedly rammed his car into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans. The attack resulted in the deaths of 15 people, with dozens more injured. The horrific nature of the assault has prompted widespread shock and condemnation. Following the incident, Jabbar engaged in a shootout with police, which ultimately led to his death. The law enforcement’s swift response prevented further casualties but could not save the lives of those lost in the initial attack.
In the aftermath of the attack, global leaders have expressed their condolences and condemned the violence. Chinese Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning voiced Beijing’s shock at the event, stating that China opposes all forms of violent and terrorist acts targeting civilians. Additionally, prominent world figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK leader Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have offered their sympathies to the victims’ families. Their solidarity reflects the international concern over the safety of civilians and the growing threat posed by terrorism worldwide.
