Image Content/Police investigators surround a white Ford F-150 pickup truck that allegedly struck a group of New Year’s revelers before crashing into a working elevator in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 1, 2025.
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Authorities are investigating possible military links between the two New Orleans car accident suspect and deceased Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas On New Year’s Day, two law enforcement sources familiar with the case told NBC News.
The potential connection was just one of the leads officials pulled Thursday, a day after a man driving a pickup truck was also searched at a Texas location Flying the Islamic State flag Entering the hustle and bustle of New Orleans Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Daykilling 15 people and injuring at least 30 others.
The FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism. New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick told NBC News’ “Today” Thursday that authorities were still investigating “persons of interest.”
Hours after the attack in New Orleans, the Las Vegas blast triggered security alerts around Trump Tower in New York and Chicago. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a senior advisor to Tesla President-elect TrumpWill take office later this month.
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that “law enforcement and intelligence” were investigating “any possible connection” between the incidents.
new orleans suspect Shamsuddin JabbarThe 42-year-old U.S. citizen, Texas resident and veteran died in the ensuing shootout with police. He worked in the Army’s human resources and information technology divisions from 2006 to 2020, including a 2009 deployment to Afghanistan.
Two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said the suspect in the Trump Tower bombing in Las Vegas also had previous military experience and that law enforcement has not released his identity. They did not elaborate further, stressing that the investigation was ongoing.
Both vehicles were leased from the same company, Turo, and officers are investigating whether there is a connection. Turo said it was “actively working with law enforcement to investigate both incidents.”
In New Orleans, it was supposed to be a night of celebration on one of the country’s most famous party streets, the French Quarter, a popular tourist area filled with bars and restaurants. However, the scene turned horrific around 3:15 a.m., with witnesses and social media videos showing the truck speeding down the street before crashing, with bloodied and mangled bodies strewn on the road.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as possible,” Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a news conference. “He was hell-bent on causing the carnage and the damage he caused.”
As details about the victims emerged, mourners flocked to the scene to lay flowersquestions were raised about how motorists get around barriers designed to keep pedestrians safe.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the bollards have not yet been erected because they are still under construction. She said the project is nearing completion and is expected to be completed before New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl in February.
Jabbar lives in Texas, and late Wednesday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said it was conducting a court-authorized search of a location in Houston, an operation involving an FBI SWAT team, negotiators, bomb technicians and a team of counterterrorism investigators.
No arrests have been made, FBI Houston said in an update late Wednesday.
Louisiana Attorney General Muriel told NBC News that investigators suspect the explosive device linked to the New Orleans attacks was made at an Airbnb in the city rented by those involved. The FBI said there was a potential improvised explosive device inside the truck and other potential improvised explosive devices were found in the French Quarter.
at the same time, Sugar Bowl college football game between Georgia and Notre Dame It is expected to be played Thursday at the Superdome in New Orleans after the event was rescheduled from Wednesday night.
