New Orleans attacker’s movements included trip to Ontario in July 2023, FBI says

FBI officials on Sunday said their investigation into the deadly truck attack in New Orleans is now “crossing state and international borders,” and that the attacker had travelled to both Egypt and Canada.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Houston, travelled to Egypt and Canada before the New Year’s Day attack, although it was not yet clear whether those trips were connected to the attack, Christopher Raia, the agency’s deputy assistant director said, at a news conference.

Jabbar travelled to Cairo from June 22 to July 3, 2023. A few days later, he flew to Ontario on July 10 and returned to the U.S. on July 13.

“Our agents are getting answers to where he went, who he went with and how those trips may or may not tie into his actions here,” said Lyonel Myrthil, FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office.

Authorities say Jabbar had also travelled to New Orleans ahead of the attack in October. Myrthil said video shows him riding through the French Quarter on a bicycle wearing Meta smart glasses, which are capable of recording or livestreaming.

Investigators previously said Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, had proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before he struck on Bourbon Street early last Wednesday, killing 14 people and injuring dozens. Police fatally shot Jabbar during a firefight at the scene. 

Thirteen people remain hospitalized after the attack.

Raia reiterated on Sunday that the FBI believes Jabbar acted alone.

“All investigative details and evidence that we have now still support that Jabbar acted alone here in New Orleans,” said Raia. “We have not seen any indications of an accomplice in the United States, but we are still looking into potential associates in the U.S. and outside of our borders.”

The RCMP has not responded to CBC’s previous requests for comment on Jabbar’s movements in Canada and whether the police force is working with the FBI on the investigation.

U.S. President Joe Biden planned to travel to New Orleans with his wife Jill Biden on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack.”