The New Orleans Police Department and the FBI have ruled out any other suspects in the attack on Bourbon Street that claimed the lives of 15 and injured dozens more.
After coming through the evidence, officials believe 42-year-old army veteran Shamshud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he plowed his truck through crowds celebrating New Year’s Eve. Jabbar allegedly planted explosives in the area before changing clothes, which were later found in his vehicle, according to ABC News.
The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to probe individuals who spoke to Jabbar or exchanged texts with him prior to the attack on Wednesday; however, they say no persons were in the vicinity to help assist him.
The death toll is not expected to rise beyond 15 people, Dr. Jeffrey Elder of the University Medical Center New Orleans told ABC News Live on Thursday. Sixteen people remain hospitalized at University Medical Center New Orleans, including eight in intensive care.
According to witnesses, the truck rammed into a crowd of people at high speed, and the driver got out and began firing a weapon, causing police to return fire. Witnesses claim the suspect was wearing full body armor and armed with an assault rifle, while officials stated he was “trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the suspect was “hellbent on creating carnage.” Videos shared on social media revealed a chaotic scene at the tourist attraction, with people fleeing from the area filled with casualties as gunfire echoed in the background.
ABC News reports that ahead of the holiday season, federal law enforcement warned police throughout the country about low-tech “vehicle ramming,” as it was a key area of concern, and they wanted officers to be prepared.