Louisiana officials, FBI provide update on New Orleans attack investigation

(The Hill) – Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) and the FBI field office in New Orleans are set to provide an update Thursday morning on the investigation into the New Year’s Day terror attack that left 15 dead and dozens of others injured.

The briefing comes a day after a driver, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack after an Islamic State flag was found in the vehicle.

Little is currently known about the victims other than what has been shared by family and friends.

The news conference is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. EST.

Police and FBI authorities previously said the driver steered around a police blockade and raced through a crowd along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers gathered to celebrate the new year. At least 15 people were killed and about 30 injured. Two police officers wounded in a shootout with the suspect were in stable condition.

Authorities also found potential explosive devices in the French Quarter, the FBI said. Surveillance footage showed three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.

Guns and pipe bombs were found in the suspect’s vehicle, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. The devices were concealed within coolers and wired for remote detonation with a remote control that also was found in the vehicle, the bulletin said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.