The FBI says the New Orleans attacker’s movements included a trip to Ontario in July 2023

FBI officials said Sunday that their investigation into the deadly truck attack in New Orleans “now crosses state and international borders,” and that the attacker has traveled to both Egypt and Canada.

Shams al-Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Houston, traveled to Egypt and Canada before the New Year’s attack, although it is not yet clear whether those trips are related to the attack, said Christopher Raya, the agency’s deputy assistant administrator. press conference.

Jabbar traveled to Cairo from June 22 to July 3, 2023. A few days later, he traveled to Ontario on July 10 and returned to the United States on July 13.

“Our agents are getting answers about where he went, who he went with, and how those trips may or may not be connected to his actions here,” said Lionel Merthel, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Office.

Authorities say Jabbar also traveled to New Orleans before the attack in October. Merthel said the video shows him riding a bike in the French Quarter and wearing smart glasses capable of recording or live streaming.

Investigators previously said that Jabbar, a 42-year-old former US Army soldier, declared his support for ISIS in videos posted online hours before he attacked on Bourbon Street early last Wednesday, killing 14. people and injured dozens. Jabbar was shot dead by police during an exchange of gunfire at the scene.

Thirteen people remain in hospital after the attack.

Raya reiterated on Sunday that the FBI believes Jabbar acted alone.

“All the details of the investigation and the evidence we have continue to support that Jabbar acted alone here in New Orleans,” Raya said. He added: “We have not seen any indications of a partner in the United States, but we are still looking for potential partners in the United States and outside our borders.”

The RCMP did not respond to CBC’s previous requests for comment on Jabbar’s movements in Canada and whether the police force was working with the FBI in the investigation.

US President Joe Biden plans to travel to New Orleans with his wife, Jill Biden, on Monday to “mourn the families and community members affected by the tragic attack.”