New Orleans attack suspect acted alone and supported Islamic State, says FBI

In the first video, Jabbar explains that he had previously planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned that media coverage would not focus on “the war between believers and nonbelievers,” said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia, at a press conference.

Jabbar also said in the videos that he had joined IS before last summer and provided his last will and testament, Raia said.

“This was an act of terrorism,” Raia said. “It was premeditated and an evil act.”

New Orleans officials said the Sugar Bowl college football game, which had been scheduled for Wednesday in a New Year’s Day tradition, will be held Thursday afternoon. The city will also host the Super Bowl, the US National Football League (NFL) final next month.

The FBI said there does not appear to be any link between the attack in New Orleans and the episode in Las Vegas on the same day that a Tesla Cybertruck packed with gas canisters and large fireworks mortars burst into flames outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, just weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 20.

Victims injured in the New Orleans attack included two police officers injured by gunshots fired by the suspect, which occurred just three hours into the new year on Bourbon Street in the historic French Quarter. At least 15 people were killed, including the suspect, the FBI said.