Officials conclude news conference – here’s what we learned

The news conference providing the latest details on the investigation into the terror attack in New Orleans is over.

Here are the main things we learned:

• The FBI now believes Shamsud-Din Jabbar was acting alone, and the public are not at any further risk;
• The US army veteran posted several pro-ISIS videos on social media in the hours before his rampage, which claimed 15 victims including himself;
• Multiple laptops, phones, and explosive devices have been recovered during the investigation so far;
• The public have sent in some 400 tip-offs to the FBI since the attack, which has been described as a “premeditated” and “evil” act;
• But there is “no definitive link” between the rampage and a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

 Authorities were under pressure to keep party city open for business

U.S. authorities were under heavy pressure to reopen Bourbon Street – the historic street in New Orleans’ French Quarter where the attack took place.

“It is going to reopen today. There was a heavy emphasis on public safety (at the news conference) – a reassurance from authorities that the public are safe to go about their business and to enjoy New Orleans,” a Sky News reporter said earlier today.

“Heavy pressure on authorities in this city, which is a party town, it accommodates and hosts big events, like New Year, like the Sugar Bowl football game later today and the Super Bowl in February.

“Heavy pressure on local authorities to get that message out that the public are safe to come and go. They reinforced that very heavily in that press conference.”

‘He was my role model,’ says brother of New Orleans victim

The brother of one of those killed in the New Orleans attack has told Sky News every day will be the “hardest of my life” following his death.

Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, 27, was one of 14 people killed in the New Year’s Eve attack.

The police shooting of suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar took the total number of dead to at least 15.

Martin’s friend, Ryan Quigley, was also injured and is recovering in hospital.

‘I miss him so much already’

Speaking to Sky News, Martin’s brother Jack Bech said: “He was my best friend. Whenever we did see each other – I live in Dallas, he lives in New York – we did everything together.

“He was my role model. I looked up to him. He inspired me to do everything I’ve done in my life.

“He was special. We had a bond that couldn’t be broken.

“I miss him so much already. I wish I could pick up the phone one more time, tell him I love him.

“He was my world, my everything. Everything I do in this life from now on, I will do for him.”

‘He told me how much he loved me’

He added: “Yesterday, was the hardest day of my life. And each day will be the hardest day of my life, living knowing I can’t speak to him ever again.”

Jack said his brother had returned to Louisiana from New York for Christmas and had brought his friend, Ryan, with him, and the two were out in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve.

“He wanted to go show him the good spirit that New Orleans brings. Nobody ever thought it would end the way it did.”

He added that he had spoken to his brother on the phone that night, saying: “The last thing we ever said to each other, he told me he loved me, in a phone call, sometime around 9pm-10pm that night, before they went out.”