In a chilling development, the FBI has revealed that the perpetrator of the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans used Meta smart glasses during the planning and execution of his terror plot.
According to FBI investigators, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, wore Meta's smart glasses during two reconnaissance visits to New Orleans in the months leading up to the attack that left 14 dead and 35 injured. The FBI revealed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the perpetrator of the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, conducted surveillance of his target location using Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses during two visits prior to the incident. The glasses were also worn during the attack itself, marking one of the first known cases of smart eyewear being used to facilitate an act of terrorism.
The former US Army veteran drove a rented electric Ford pickup truck through crowds celebrating New Year's Eve on the iconic Bourbon Street around 3:15 AM local time. After the vehicular assault, Jabbar, wearing a ballistic vest and helmet, engaged in a shootout with police officers before being fatally wounded.
The FBI's investigation revealed that Jabbar had meticulously planned the attack, placing two improvised explosive devices in coolers along Bourbon Street hours before the rampage. While the IEDs failed to detonate due to lack of proper detonation equipment, investigators found bomb-making materials at both his Airbnb rental and Houston residence.
The suspect's use of Meta's smart glasses during the planning phase raises new concerns about how emerging technologies can be exploited for malicious purposes. The glasses, which can capture photos and video, potentially allowed Jabbar to gather intelligence about the target location while appearing as a regular tourist.
Prior to the attack, Jabbar posted videos declaring his allegiance to the Islamic State group, though investigators believe he acted alone. The FBI continues to investigate his international travels to Egypt and Canada in 2023 for potential connections to the plot.
This incident marks a disturbing milestone in the history of consumer smart glasses, highlighting potential security implications as these devices become more widespread. Law enforcement and security experts may need to reassess how such technology could be used in future attack planning.
President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans to meet with families affected by the tragedy, while local authorities have implemented additional security measures ahead of upcoming major events including the Super Bowl.