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.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.