Law enforcement officials give update on the New Orleans terrorist attack at New Year’s celebration

Law enforcement has identified the driver who killed 10 people and injured dozens in New Orleans as a 42-year-old man, six law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press.

The officials identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

Investigators were working to gather additional information about Jabbar’s background and investigating an unfurled black flag that was with the vehicle, the officials said. And during an update from the FBI on Wednesday that started at 2 p.m., it was stated Jabbar was not "solely responsible" for the attack or what lead to it.

A photo circulated among law enforcement officials showed a bearded Jabbar wearing camouflage next to the truck after he was killed by police.

The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Jabbar was a US citizen, two sources familiar with the matter tell CNN.

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, has said it is treating the incident as an “act of terrorism.”
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Officials have not released additional information on the suspect, who died at the scene. Investigators are probing whether the deceased suspect had a connection to ISIS, law enforcement sources say. The suspect in Wednesday’s deadly New Orleans crowd attack had an ISIS flag at the time of the incident, two law enforcement sources tell CNN.

One of the sources also said multiple suspected explosive devices were found in an ice chest in the pickup truck used in the attack. FBI leaders said in their afternoon update to the public that two explosives were found and "rendered safe" and are working to determine the state of other explosives found in the vehicle.

Initial "sweeps" of the area have been conducted and continue as part of a safety plan, as officers are outside surrounding the French Quarter, looking for suspicious bags or other items.

An Emergency Declaration has been issued, allowing Federal and State officials and partners in order for them to bring in all the emergency response partners needed to enhance security further.

The mobilizations of a military police company is also being deployed to assist with the police and LSP and the FBI.

Investigators are looking into any possible associates of the suspect as well as the suspect’s political or religious views and whether the person is associated with a known terrorist organization.

Jabbar was killed in a firefight with police following the attack around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street in the city’s bustling French Quarter, the FBI said.

Investigators were combing the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said officials were investigating at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.

At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a “terrorist attack” and the city’s police chief said the act was clearly intentional.

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