Man behind New Year's attack visited New Orleans before, recorded video with smart glasses, FBI says

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The man responsible for the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day that killed 14 people visited the city twice before and recorded video of the French Quarter with Meta smart glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar also traveled to Cairo and Canada before the attack although it was not yet clear whether those trips were connected to the attack, Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said at a news conference. Federal officials believe Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former U.S. Army soldier, was inspired by the Islamic State militant group to carry out the attack.

Police fatally shot Jabbar, 42, during an exchange of gunfire at the scene of the deadly crash of the rented pickup truck on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

Federal investigators so far believe Jabbar acted alone, but are continuing to explore his contacts.

“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."

Lyonel Myrthil, FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans Field Office, said Jabbar traveled to Cairo in the summer of 2023 and then to the Canadian province of Ontario a few days later.

“Our agents are getting answers to where he went, who he met with and how those trips may or may not tie into his actions here,” Myrthil said.

Jabbar had also traveled to New Orleans twice in the months preceding the attack, first in October and again in November. On Oct. 31, Myrthil said Jabbar used glasses from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to record video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle as "he plotted this hideous attack." He said Jabbar was also in New Orleans on Nov. 10.

He also wore the glasses capable of livestreaming during the attack, but Myrthil said Jabbar did not activate them.

When asked about the glasses, a Meta spokesperson declined comment to The Associated Press.

The FBI released Jabbar's recorded video from the planning trip to New Orleans as well as video showing him placing two containers with explosive devices in the French Quarter at around 2 a.m. shortly before the attack. One of the containers, a cooler, was moved a block away by someone uninvolved with the attack, officials said.

Joshua Jackson, New Orleans special agent in charge, said Jabbar privately purchased a semiautomatic rifle on Nov. 19 from an individual in a legal transaction in Arlington, Texas.

“This was a chance encounter,” Jackson said. “There’s no way this individual knew that Jabbar was radicalized or had any sort of awareness that this attack was imminent.”

Police have used vehicles and barricades to block traffic at Bourbon and Canal streets since. Other law enforcement agencies helped city officers provide extra security, said Reese Harper, a New Orleans police spokesperson.

The first parade of the Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras in March is scheduled Monday evening. New Orleans also will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.

In a previous effort to protect the French Quarter, the city installed steel columns known as bollards to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street. The posts normally retract to allow deliveries to bars and restaurants. But they stopped working reliably after being gummed up by Mardi Gras beads, beer and other detritus.

When New Year’s Eve arrived, the bollards were gone. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell acknowledged the city remains uncertain as to whether the new bollards it is installing in the French Quarter would be able to stop a similar vehicle attack.

“The thorough assessment that I am asking for will determine whether they are strong enough,” Cantrell said. “I can’t say with surety that’s the case but an expert will be able to do so, and we’ll respond accordingly.” Cantrell said she requested that Homeland Security upgrade Mardi Gras to the highest Special Event Assessment Rating to receive more federal support for security and risk assessments.

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

After signing the Social Security Fairness Act, Biden was asked Sunday by journalists what his message would be to the families he will meet. He responded, “I’ve been there. There’s nothing you can really say to somebody that’s just had such a tragic loss, my message is going to be personal if I get to get them alone.”

The two explosive devices that Jabbar placed were recovered by federal officials undetonated. ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson credited New Orleans police for responding quickly before the devices could be set off. He said both were equipped with receivers and a transmitter was recovered in Jabbar’s truck.

Jabbar exited the crashed truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and fired at police, wounding at least two officers before he was fatally shot.

Bomb-making materials were found at Jabbar's home. Jackson said Jabbar appeared to have used a chemical compound known as RDX, which he said is commonly available in the U.S. He said field tests found RDX at Jabbar’s Houston home and they are conducting further tests on similar materials found at the New Orleans rental home.

Jabbar tried to burn down the rental house by setting a small fire in a hallway but the flames went out before firefighters arrived.

Jabbar proclaimed support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before he struck. It was the deadliest IS-inspired assault on U.S. soil in years, laying bare what federal officials have warned is a resurgent international terrorism threat.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that the country faces “not only the persistent threat of foreign terrorism" but "a significant increase in what we term homegrown violent extremism” in recent years.

The attack has prompted security concerns elsewhere in the nation. In California, for instance, military officials announced via online platform X that access has been tightened to Camp Pendleton, the largest Marine base on the West Coast with tens of thousands of active-duty service members. The announcement said all IDs are being checked for base entry, a “trusted travel program” is being suspended and random inspections will be carried out.

The FBI, left, and Louisiana State Police examine a glass jar along Conti Street that intersects with Bourbon Street during the investigation of a truck crashing into pedestrians on Bourbon Street Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

FILE - FBI and Harris County Sheriff's SWAT members work, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, near Crescent Peak Drive in Houston, where a police investigation continues into a property associated with Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who has been identified as the attacker in the New Orleans massacre. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025. Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)

Amir "Tubad" Gray, left, leads Tubad and the Kings of NOLA Brass Band and artist Roberto Marquez, right, in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, as they memorialize the victims of the New Year's Day deadly truck attack and shooting. Marquez organized the parade and vigil and designed a memorial for the victims on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Tubad and the Kings of NOLA Brass Band plays in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, as they memorialize the victims of the New Year's Day deadly truck attack and shooting. Playing sousaphone is Timothy Brown, left, saxophone is Corey Hosey, Amir "Tubad" Gray, wearing hat, trumpet is Kenneth Hagans, far right, also with the parade is artist Roberto Marquez, second right, who organized the vigil and designed a memorial for the victims on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

A black flag with white lettering lies on the ground rolled up behind a pickup truck that a man drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing and injuring a number of people, early Wednesday morning, Jan. 1, 2025. The FBI said they recovered an Islamic State group flag, which is black with white lettering, from the vehicle. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025.(Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released this photo of Shamsud-Din Jabbar on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Security personnel investigate the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, place flowers at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A friend of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pauses at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A woman places flowers next to photos of victim Matthew Tenedorio at memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Alisa Kuhns, visiting from Santa Rosa, Calif. reacts at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Katriel Faith Gibson, who lives nearby, reacts as she visits a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A memorial sits outside a restaurant along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Sav Bennly sits in front of a memorial at Bourbon and Canal Street in the French Quarter, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Shawn Westbrook prays at a memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

People walk past a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A woman paints a heart as friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, visit a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Flowers lie next to candles at a memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Kelli Galle, right, hugs her son Parker, left, as they visit a memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Eddie Williams lights candles for his uncle, who was killed in a deadly truck attack, at a memorial to the victims on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A memorial on Bourbon Street is seen at the site of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day stands on the sidewalk in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Flowers lie in the street at the site of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Alisa Kuhns, visiting from Santa Rosa, Calif. reacts at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Nathan Williams, a University of New Orleans student, lights a candle at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bradley Beal made the most of the unfamiliar role of substitute for the Phoenix Suns. That doesn't mean he had to like it.

Beal came off the bench for the first time in nine years on Monday night and scored a team-high 25 points as the Suns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Beal scored 20 points in the second half as Phoenix overcame an early 12-point deficit and won for just the second time in nine games.

After the game, the 31-year-old Beal said he accepted coach Mike Budenholzer’s lineup change, but made it clear he considers himself a starter in the NBA.

“Coach made his decision. Live with it,” the three-time All-Star said. “It’s kind of twofold. I’m a starter in the league. I firmly believe that. No disrespect to anybody, but I’m a starter. ... Coach made a decision. I’m not going to sit there and argue with him. I’m not going to sit here and be a distraction.”

Beal last came off the bench during the 2015-16 season while returning from an injury with the Washington Wizards.

Budenholzer also moved Jusuf Nurkic, who was returning from a three-game suspension for his role in a fight against Dallas, into a reserve role and said before the game both players handled the news well.

“I feel like we needed to make a change," Budenholzer said. “Throughout a 48-minute game, you got to figure out your best combinations, your best ways to try to have success. They’re two important players to us, two very good players for us. We just felt like we needed to make a change.

“They’re pros. I talked to each of them individually. They want what’s best for the team. I have a lot of respect for them and an appreciation for them.”

Beal and Nurkic (five points, seven rebounds) gave the Suns' bench a huge boost as the Phoenix reserves outscored Philadelphia's bench 54-7.

“What he was able to do tonight really put us in a great spot, made a bunch of plays for himself, bunch of plays for his teammates,” Budenholzer said of Beal. “He’s been a pro. He was there for us tonight in a big way.”

While he was there for the Suns on Monday, Beal was asked whether he believed the lineup move had anything to do with trade speculation.

“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” said Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. “Until I am addressed and somebody says something differently, I’ll be a Sun.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal (3) goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal, top, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal, center, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Guerschon Yabusele, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)