Houston authorities are investigating a location in the city’s northside in connection to a deadly attack in New Orleans on Wednesday.
Federal agents confirmed to Eyewitness News that FBI Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an operation near Hugh Road and Crescent Peak Drive in north Houston.
“We have established a secure perimeter and urge the public to avoid the area. FBI Houston personnel and specialized teams will be on-site for several hours. This activity is related to the New Orleans attack earlier today. However, due to the ongoing investigation, no additional details are available at this time,” the FBI told.
The attack in New Orleans left at least 15 people dead and over two dozen injured after a Houston man allegedly drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street at high speed early Wednesday morning.
The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen and Army veteran from Houston, Texas. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack,” and the FBI has confirmed it is being treated as an act of terrorism.
Details of the Attack
According to officials, Jabbar drove around barricades and plowed into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street, killing and injuring dozens. He reportedly fired shots into the crowd during the rampage. After crashing the vehicle, the suspect emerged with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers. Officers returned fire, killing him.
At least two officers were injured in the exchange. Explosive devices were later found in and around the scene, which authorities deemed viable. Controlled detonations were conducted, and nearby hotels were evacuated.
FBI Investigation and Timeline
The FBI is now leading the investigation. The truck used in the attack, an electric Ford F-150 Lightning with Texas plates, was rented through the vehicle-sharing platform Turo. Sources confirmed to ABC13 that the truck had been spotted multiple times in the Houston area on Tuesday morning before heading east on I-10 toward New Orleans.
The vehicle’s owner, who rented it out through Turo, has been cooperating with the FBI and declined to comment further.
Official Statements
Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed the FBI is investigating the attack as terrorism. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the suspect appeared “hellbent on causing mass carnage.”
“This was a horrific act of violence,” said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, extending thoughts and prayers to the victims and first responders.
Authorities are now conducting a thorough background check on the suspect and analyzing surveillance footage to piece together his movements leading up to the attack.
