New Orleans killer acted alone, professed loyalty to Islamic State: FBI

NEW ORLEANS: A US army veteran motivated by loyalty to the Islamic State likely acted alone when he killed and injured dozens in a truck attack against a New Orleans crowd of New Year revelers, the FBI said on Thursday.

Despite initial concerns that Shamsud-Din Jabbar had accomplices still on the run, preliminary investigations show he likely was alone, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia said.

“We do not assess at this point that anyone else was involved,” Raia said.

However, new evidence emerged detailing the extent of the US citizen´s loyalty to Islamic State and his plans to cause mayhem in the attack, which killed 14 and injured more than 30 in the French Quarter district, ending only after he was shot by police.

“He was 100 percent inspired by ISIS,” Raia said, using an alternative name for the international jihadist group.

Just before the attack, in which 42-year-old Jabbar slammed a rented Ford F-150 pickup into the crowd, he “posted several videos to an online platform proclaiming his support for ISIS,” Raia said.

He also carried a black ISIS flag on the back of the vehicle.

In one video, Jabbar “explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the ´war between the believers and the disbelievers.´”

Raia said that Jabbar had planted two homemade bombs in drinks coolers in French Quarter streets. The bombs were viable but were made safe in time, he said.

Raia clarified that the total death toll of 15 from Wednesday´s carnage included 14 victims and Jabbar himself, who died after wounding two police officers in an exchange of gunfire.

In New Orleans´ French Quarter, cleaners continued to clear the debris. Bourbon Street, at the heart of the area´s famous nightlife and jazz establishments, remained closed to the public.

After a 24-hour delay due to the violence, the city was gearing up to stage the major Sugar Bowl college football game in the Superdome later on Thursday. The stadium will also host the NFL´s Super Bowl championship game in February.

“We believe we can absolutely provide a safe and wonderful environment today, and hold the Super Bowl and all of our activities,” New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.

The terrifying incident came three weeks before Trump takes over as president.

The Republican has used the mayhem to push his anti-immigrant agenda, despite the slain killer being a US-born citizen.

Overnight, Trump again took to social media to link the attack to “OPEN BORDERS.”

In a lengthy rant, he berated law enforcement bodies for “attacking their political opponent, ME, rather than focusing on protecting Americans from the outside and inside violent SCUM.”

Claiming “the USA is breaking down,” Trump said, without giving details: “the CIA must get involved.”