The New Orleans attackers' movements include a trip to Ontario in July 2023, the FBI said
FBI officials on Sunday said their investigation into the deadly truck attack in New Orleans now “crosses state and international borders,” and that the attacker had traveled to Egypt and Canada.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Houston, traveled to Egypt and Canada before the New Year's Day attack, although it was not clear if that trip was connected to the attack, said Christopher Raia, the agency's deputy director. news conference.
Jabbar went to Cairo from June 22 to July 3, 2023. A few days later, he flew to Ontario on July 10 and returned to the US on July 13.
“Our agents are getting answers to where he went, who he went with and how those trips may or may not be relevant to his actions here,” said Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI's special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office.
Authorities say Jabbar had also traveled to New Orleans before the October attack. Myrthil said the video shows him riding through the French Quarter on a bicycle wearing Meta smart glasses, which can record or stream live.
At a news conference Sunday in New Orleans, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry honored the 14 people who died in the New Year's Day truck attack and announced a state of mourning that will begin Monday. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 63 years old and came from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey and Britain.
Investigators previously said Jabbar, 42, a former US soldier, declared his support for the Islamic terrorist group ISIS in online videos posted hours before the Bourbon Street rampage last Wednesday, which killed 14 people and injured dozens. Police shot and killed Jabbar during a firefight at the scene.
13 people were hospitalized after the attack.
Raia reiterated Sunday that the FBI believes Jabbar acted alone.
“All the investigative information and evidence we have is that Jabbar worked alone here in New Orleans,” Raia said. “We have not seen any indications that he has any associates in the United States, but we are still looking for possible associates in the US and outside our borders.”
New Orleans is remembering the victims of the New Year's Day truck attack as the FBI shifts its investigation to Shamsud-Din Jabbar's home state of Texas, where officials say he developed his ISIS beliefs.
The RCMP did not respond to previous CBC News requests for comment on Jabbar's movements in Canada and whether police are cooperating with the FBI in the investigation.
US President Joe Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with his wife, Jill Biden, on Monday “to mourn with the families and community members affected by the attack.”
The youngest victim was 18 years old and the oldest was 63. Most of the victims were in their 20s. They came from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey and Britain.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said the lives of innocent people will never be forgotten as he announced a period of mourning for the victims scheduled to begin Monday. A different victim should be remembered each day.
“However, Louisiana and her people will never cower in fear,” he said.
“Instead, we will unite and come back strong to honor everyone who lost their lives that day.”
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