FBI probing ‘possible connection’ between New Orleans attack and Cybertruck blast – Biden

The authorities have yet to confirm any links between a terrorist attack in New Orleans and a Cybertruck explosion outside a Las Vegas hotel

US President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday night, outlining the federal authorities’ efforts to investigate the New Orleans terrorist attack that left at least 15 dead, and the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. 

Biden highlighted the importance of determining whether the two incidents are linked, but cautioned the public against drawing conclusions prematurely, noting that the investigations remain active and are evolving.

“We’re tracking the explosion of a cyber truck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” the outgoing US president said.

“Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score,” he added.

In the New Orleans attack, which occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US Army veteran, drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. An ISIS flag, weapons, and a suspected improvised explosive device were discovered in the vehicle, leading the authorities to classify the event as an act of terrorism. 

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Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police at the scene. Investigators are now exploring whether he acted alone or had accomplices.

Hours later in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel, killing the driver and injuring seven bystanders. Initial investigations suggest the vehicle was loaded with fireworks or an explosive device. 

Both the Cybertruck in Las Vegas and the pickup truck in New Orleans were reportedly rented through the same app, a detail that has further intensified federal scrutiny of potential links between the two incidents.

Earlier in the day, Elon Musk strongly denied claims that the Tesla vehicle was to blame for the Las Vegas blast, insisting that “all vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.” He said the blast “appears likely to be an act of terrorism” and claimed that “perhaps” both incidents are “linked in some way.”

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Biden has directed top officials, including the attorney general, the FBI director, and the secretary of Homeland Security, to dedicate all available resources to the investigations.

“I’ve directed my team to make sure every resource is made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement to complete the investigation quickly and to ensure there is no remaining threat to the American people,” Biden said. 

The president also offered his condolences to the victims and their families, saying, “our nation grieves with you.” He reiterated his administration’s commitment to uncovering the full details of these tragedies and ensuring that justice is served.