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 FBI’s 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 Jabbar’s 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.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.