A man responsible for a deadly New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans had visited the city twice prior and used Meta smart glasses to record the area as part of his planning, according to FBI Special Agent Lyonel Myrthil. The attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, killed 14 people and injured at least 35 by ramming a pickup truck into a crowd and opening fire. He was later killed in a shootout with police.

Jabbar stayed in New Orleans in late October and November 2023, using Meta smart glasses to document the French Quarter. Although wearing the glasses during the New Year’s attack, they were not activated at the time. Hours before the attack, he set fire to an Airbnb rental where he was staying, allegedly to destroy evidence. He also left two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Bourbon Street, though their activation was prevented due to police intervention and bystanders unknowingly moving one of the devices.

The FBI revealed that Jabbar acquired firearms legally, one of which was bought in Texas via a private sale. Authorities are also investigating his earlier trips to Egypt, Canada, Atlanta, and Tampa to uncover further motives. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has called for a review of the city’s security measures, specifically the effectiveness of vehicle barriers like bollards and temporary barricades, which failed to prevent the attack despite preemptive planning.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about security and terror threats in urban areas, especially during large public gatherings. Officials continue to investigate the attack as they bolster strategies to enhance public safety. All 14 victims of the attack have now been identified and mourned by their families and the New Orleans community.