Authorities are investigating a possible connection between bomb-making materials found at a New Orleans Airbnb and the recent truck-ramming terror attack that claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured over 30 others on Bourbon Street during a New Year's celebration.
A small fire broke out at a suspected Airbnb property in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans, leading to the discovery of bomb-making materials. The New Orleans Fire Department evacuated nearby residents and contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for assistance.
FBI and ATF agents have secured the property and are conducting a thorough search for potential evidence. Laptops and cell phones linked to the deceased suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, have been recovered and are being analyzed by investigators.
Neighbors reported seeing Jabbar loading items into a white truck the day before the attack, with one neighbor expressing shock upon learning of Jabbar's alleged involvement in the tragedy.
The FBI confirmed that the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism, with an ISIS flag, weapons, and potential improvised explosive devices found in the vehicle used in the attack. The FBI believes Jabbar acted alone and has no definitive link to the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas.
Authorities are continuing to process the Mandeville address where the bomb-making materials were found, with the ATF national response team working to determine the origin of the fire that occurred on the morning of the attack.
While investigating all potential leads, the FBI emphasized that there is currently no definitive connection between the New Orleans and Las Vegas incidents.
