Crime
Man in custody outside the Houston, Texas home of the suspect in New Orleans car-ramming attack
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the individual seen in the video or their relationship to Jabbar.
New developments have emerged in the investigation of the New Orleans terror attack that claimed 15 lives and injured dozens during New Year’s celebrations in the city’s historic French Quarter.
A video released on Wednesday shows a man with his hands raised outside the Houston home of the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as SWAT teams issued commands.
The FBI confirmed its Houston office was conducting a search of the residence on the city’s north side in connection with the attack.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the individual seen in the video or their relationship to Jabbar.
The FBI is pursuing leads to identify potential accomplices involved in the incident. “We are aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject,” the agency stated.
On New Year’s Eve, Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran, used a rented pickup truck to plow into a crowd of revelers near the intersection of Bourbon and Iberville streets. After exiting the vehicle, Jabbar opened fire at responding officers before being fatally shot. Two police officers were injured in the exchange but are expected to recover.
Jabbar’s vehicle bore an Islamic State group flag, and investigators discovered weapons and potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) hidden in coolers within the truck. A remote detonator was found nearby. Additional IEDs were located within the French Quarter, further heightening concerns about the scale of the attack.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could. He was hellbent on creating the carnage and damage that he did,” said New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. “This was not a DUI situation.”
According to a Louisiana State Police bulletin, investigators reviewed footage showing three men and one woman placing an IED believed to be connected to the attack. This has raised suspicions that the incident was not carried out by Jabbar alone but as part of a coordinated effort.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency in Orleans Parish, enabling additional state resources to be allocated as the region prepares for upcoming events such as Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras.
Governor Landry emphasized transparency in addressing any failures that may have contributed to the attack. “We intend to be fully transparent with any defects that may have existed that allowed this attack to happen,” he said.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the establishment of a fund to assist victims of the tragedy. She also urged the public to stay away from secured areas as investigators work to piece together what occurred.
The FBI has deemed the French Quarter an active crime scene. Weapons, IEDs, and other evidence linked to the attack are under analysis. Authorities continue to search for individuals potentially connected to the planning and execution of this act of terrorism.
Further updates are expected as investigators uncover more details about the motivations, coordination, and broader implications of the attack.
Crime
Suspect in custody after shooting at Meridian Mall
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.
