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.
Merced Police Department officers are actively investigating a shooting that occurred near Merino Park in North Merced on Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area following multiple reports of gunfire in the vicinity of the park.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a gunshot victim near the intersection of Morning Dove Avenue and Sunrise Drive, just east of Merino Park.
First responders rendered aid at the scene before the victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The extent of the victim’s injuries has not yet been disclosed.
A short time later, officers detained an individual in the surrounding area.
At this time, it remains unclear whether the person taken into custody is the suspected shooter or otherwise involved in the incident.
Authorities have not released any additional details regarding a motive or the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Investigators remain on scene, canvassing the area and gathering evidence.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
The Merced Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.