Crime
Man in custody outside the Houston, Texas home of the suspect in New Orleans car-ramming attack
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the individual seen in the video or their relationship to Jabbar.
New developments have emerged in the investigation of the New Orleans terror attack that claimed 15 lives and injured dozens during New Year’s celebrations in the city’s historic French Quarter.
A video released on Wednesday shows a man with his hands raised outside the Houston home of the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, as SWAT teams issued commands.
The FBI confirmed its Houston office was conducting a search of the residence on the city’s north side in connection with the attack.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the individual seen in the video or their relationship to Jabbar.
The FBI is pursuing leads to identify potential accomplices involved in the incident. “We are aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject,” the agency stated.
On New Year’s Eve, Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran, used a rented pickup truck to plow into a crowd of revelers near the intersection of Bourbon and Iberville streets. After exiting the vehicle, Jabbar opened fire at responding officers before being fatally shot. Two police officers were injured in the exchange but are expected to recover.
Jabbar’s vehicle bore an Islamic State group flag, and investigators discovered weapons and potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) hidden in coolers within the truck. A remote detonator was found nearby. Additional IEDs were located within the French Quarter, further heightening concerns about the scale of the attack.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could. He was hellbent on creating the carnage and damage that he did,” said New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. “This was not a DUI situation.”
According to a Louisiana State Police bulletin, investigators reviewed footage showing three men and one woman placing an IED believed to be connected to the attack. This has raised suspicions that the incident was not carried out by Jabbar alone but as part of a coordinated effort.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency in Orleans Parish, enabling additional state resources to be allocated as the region prepares for upcoming events such as Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras.
Governor Landry emphasized transparency in addressing any failures that may have contributed to the attack. “We intend to be fully transparent with any defects that may have existed that allowed this attack to happen,” he said.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the establishment of a fund to assist victims of the tragedy. She also urged the public to stay away from secured areas as investigators work to piece together what occurred.
The FBI has deemed the French Quarter an active crime scene. Weapons, IEDs, and other evidence linked to the attack are under analysis. Authorities continue to search for individuals potentially connected to the planning and execution of this act of terrorism.
Further updates are expected as investigators uncover more details about the motivations, coordination, and broader implications of the attack.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.