Crime
Video capture moments Shamsud-Din Jabbar cycling through French Quarter area while filming on smart glasses
The FBI has released footage from Meta smart glasses worn by ISIS-affiliated terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar prior to his deadly attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
The video, recorded during a reconnaissance trip to the bustling tourist district, offers a harrowing glimpse into Jabbar’s perspective before he carried out the attack that claimed 14 lives and left dozens injured.
Jabbar used a rented pickup truck to plow through crowds on the iconic street, killing 14 people and injuring at least 35 others.
Authorities later revealed that Jabbar had planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around the French Quarter with the intent to detonate them remotely, potentially causing even more casualties.
The attack ended when officers from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) fatally shot Jabbar before he could access the remote detonator for the IEDs.
“We believe the transmitter would have worked, but for the swift action of the NOPD, who neutralized him before he could detonate the devices,” said Joshua Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIโs New Orleans Field Division.
The footage, recorded during Jabbar’s reconnaissance, shows him cycling through the French Quarter while filming with the smart glasses.
The video highlights the densely packed area, revealing his meticulous planning and deliberate targeting of a popular tourist destination.
Jabbar, reportedly inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS), had a troubled personal history, including three ex-wives and three children, according to public records.
Investigators are now working to piece together the extent of his connections to ISIS and any potential accomplices who may have aided in planning the attack.
The French Quarter, a hub for tourists and revelers, remains in shock following the tragedy. Authorities have ramped up security in major cities across the U.S. to prevent similar incidents.
The FBI is urging anyone with information about Jabbarโs activities or possible accomplices to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the FBI’s hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through their website.
This attack underscores the continued threat posed by lone actors inspired by extremist ideologies, and it highlights the importance of vigilance and swift law enforcement response in mitigating such threats.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subjectโs vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorneyโs Office.