The individual accused of murdering 14 people in a New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day was wearing “smart” glasses that could have enabled him to livestream the incident if he had chosen to activate them, officials disclosed on Sunday.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar had previously used the glasses to document his bicycle ride through the French Quarter during his visit to New Orleans in October, a time when he may have been plotting his assail as noted by Lionel Myrthil, special agent in charge of the New Orleans FBI office, during a press conference regarding the attack.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jabbar drove his vehicle into crowds gathered to celebrate. This horrific incident resulted in not only numerous fatalities but also more than 30 injuries, with some being critical. Authorities mentioned that the damage could have been significantly greater, as recently uncovered footage showed Jabbar placing homemade bombs inside coolers at two locations on Bourbon Street just hours prior to the attack; thankfully, those bombs did not explode.

The FBI disclosed that they are also investigating Jabbar’s travels from the previous year. “Jabbar’s travel to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 to July 3, 2023, has been tracked,” Myrthil explained. “He then flew to Ontario, Canada, on July 10 and came back to the U.S. on July 13, 2023.”

“Our agents are uncovering details about where he went, whom he interacted with, and how these travel plans might connect to his actions in our city,” he continued.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that the Greater New Orleans Foundation has established a donation fund at gnof.org. She expressed her intentions to welcome President Joe Biden to the city on Monday and will request a tactical expert to advise on enhancing security “target hardening measures” for safety at upcoming national events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Security improvements to enhance safety before the Super Bowl, set for February 9, will commence this Monday.

“Our goal remains to enhance public safety as we prepare for major events in New Orleans,” Cantrell stated.

Days of mourning set for each victim

Governor Jeff Landry has reached out to the families of all 14 victims. Beginning Monday until January 23, each victim will have a designated day of mourning, and families will receive assistance from state police for the transport of their loved ones’ remains.

“We will ensure that their tragic loss is remembered,” Landry stated. “We are dedicated to honoring these victims and supporting their families and friends.”

FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia noted that the ongoing investigation suggests the perpetrator acted alone. Over 1,000 tips are under review, and authorities at local, state, and federal levels are committed to exploring every lead to uncover the truth about the assailant and the incident itself.

“Our efforts are for the victims and their families, even though we understand that nothing we do can alleviate their sorrow,” Raia added.

Biden’s visit to New Orleans on Monday

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are set to arrive in New Orleans on Monday to express their condolences to families and local residents and to meet with community officials, according to the White House. Notably, Monday marks the beginning of Carnival season in Louisiana, which is celebrated with weeks filled with parades, king cake, and beaded crafts in preparation for Mardi Gras — or “Fat Tuesday.” The day following Carnival, Ash Wednesday, marks the start of Lent.

Upcoming Carnival parades scheduled for Monday

The city of New Orleans is known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations, where Mardi Gras Day has been an official holiday for many generations. On Monday, at least six parades are planned, including two in the French Quarter, close to where the tragic incident occurred on Bourbon Street.