HOUSTON – Iraqi officials announced the arrest of an ISIS member who allegedly incited the New Orleans truck attack that killed 14 people and injured dozens more on New Year’s Day.
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The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq described the man, who wasn’t named, as a member of the ISIS external operations office. He’s expected to be tried under anti-terrorism laws in Iraq.
READ: ‘We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible:’ New Orleans attack may involve more suspects
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry addressed the arrest during an unrelated press conference on Tuesday.
“I got a briefing earlier this morning ... We should always continue to keep the families who lost loved ones in our prayers, in our thoughts,” the governor said. “This goes to show you the resiliency of this state and the commitment that our law enforcement partners, whether it be at the federal, state or local level, have in making sure that we’re safe in Louisiana.”
He directed any questions to FBI New Orleans, which wouldn’t confirm the arrest.
“The FBI’s investigation into the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans remains active and ongoing. While we continue to work with our law enforcement partners, both in the U.S. and internationally, based on the information to date, we continue to believe that Shamsud Din-Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack on Bourbon Street. We continue to follow all leads and encourage anyone who may have information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov,” an FBI spokesperson wrote in a statement to KPRC 2.
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Jabbar drove from his north Houston home in the hours before the attack, where he used a rented truck to plow through a crowd of people. He was killed in a shootout with law enforcement.
The FBI described Jabbar as a devout Muslim who began following extremist views last year. Investigators believe he was radicalized online by ISIS.
READ: ‘Precursor chemicals’ found in Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s Houston trailer after New Orleans attack
At his Houston home, investigators found bomb-making materials while executing a search warrant. He was captured on surveillance video placing two IED-filled coolers near Bourbon Street before the attack.
During a Jan. 5 news conference, FBI leaders said they were looking into his associates in the U.S. and outside the country, including a deep-dive of any electronics that he used.
READ: FBI says New Orleans terror attack suspect researched recent vehicle attack in Germany, Mardi Gras, and shootings
Gov. Landry said during the news conference that there are victims still recovering from the truck attack, which prompted an FBI warning days later about potential copycat attacks.