Federal Agents Raid Storage Unit Near Houston Home of Man Accused in Deadly New Orleans Attack
Federal agents on Monday night raided a storage unit near the north Houston home of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the man who allegedly rammed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans during the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more.
The Raid
Authorities say FBI agents and deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office conducted "court-authorized law enforcement activity" at Sparebox Storage located in the 11900 block of Walters Road. The search concluded at around midnight, according to the FBI.
"There was, and is, no threat to public safety at this time in relation to that activity," a spokesperson with the FBI said in a statement.
Background on the Investigation
The storage unit is located less than a mile away from Jabbar’s home, which was searched twice last week after Jabbar was fatally shot by police in a bloody exchange of gunfire on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.
The Attack in New Orleans
The attack on New Year’s Day was a devastating and tragic event that left a community in shock. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, allegedly drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people in the French Quarter, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more.
Reactions and Concerns
The attack has sparked concerns about Islamophobia and the potential for violence against Muslim communities. "This act has no place in Islam," said a Houston Muslim leader. "We condemn this horrific act and any form of violence or extremism."
The Ongoing Investigation
The FBI New Orleans field office, the lead agency in the ongoing investigation, has been working closely with local law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and identify potential motives. The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear at this time what prompted Jabbar to allegedly commit the attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Shamsud-Din Jabbar?
A: Shamsud-Din Jabbar is the man accused of ramming a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans during the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more.
Q: What was the purpose of the raid on the storage unit?
A: The purpose of the raid was to gather evidence and potentially seize items related to the ongoing investigation into the attack in New Orleans.
Q: Is there a threat to public safety?
A: According to the FBI, there is no threat to public safety at this time in relation to the activity.
Q: What was found in the storage unit?
A: According to the FBI, agents found "precursor chemicals" in the storage unit, which is located near Jabbar’s home in north Houston.
