Crime
No definitive link found between New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks, FBI says
The FBI has announced that no definitive connection has been established between the recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, though investigations remain ongoing.
Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia of the FBI Counterterrorism Division addressed the matter during a press conference on Thursday. “
As you know, there’s also an ongoing FBI investigation in Las Vegas. We are following all potential leads and not ruling anything out. However, at this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas,” Raia stated. He emphasized that it is still early in the investigation, and findings may evolve as new evidence emerges.
The Las Vegas incident involved a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump Hotel on New Year’s Day.
The vehicle, rented by a U.S. Special Forces soldier assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group, detonated with a combination of fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel in its bed. The driver, who activated the device, was killed in the blast, and seven bystanders were injured.
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether the explosion constitutes an act of terrorism. The high-profile nature of the Tesla vehicle and its location near a hotel bearing Donald Trump’s name has heightened scrutiny.
In New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been identified as the suspect in the deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street.
The FBI now believes Jabbar acted alone. Deputy Assistant Director Raia stated, “We do not assess at this point that anyone else is involved in this attack except for Shamsud-Din Jabbar.”
This position marks a shift from earlier statements by Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan, who had suggested that Jabbar might not have acted alone.
The FBI confirmed Thursday that 14 people were killed in the terror attack in New Orleans.
The attacker is also dead. The New Orleans coroner previously announced 15 deaths but did not provide any identifying information about the decedents.
Investigators initially explored the possibility that others were responsible for placing improvised explosive devices at the scene, but those leads have not yielded evidence of accomplices.
Raia reiterated during a news conference that the New Orleans attack was an act of terrorism. “This was premeditated and an evil act,” he declared. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry added that over 1,000 law enforcement agents have been analyzing surveillance footage, conducting interviews, and tracking down leads.
To support investigative efforts, Gov. Landry issued an emergency declaration aimed at streamlining collaboration between state, local, and federal authorities.
While the FBI has not uncovered evidence linking the two attacks, investigations remain active. Officials continue to examine potential ties between Jabbar and extremist ideologies, as well as the broader implications of these incidents on national security.
Law enforcement agencies urge the public to report any relevant information as efforts to piece together the motives and connections behind these tragic events continue.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.