After a series of violent events on New Year’s Day, investigations into the backgrounds of two military veterans suspected in separate attacks have emerged.
An Army veteran is accused of crashing a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans, while a Green Beret is believed to be connected to a truck explosion in Las Vegas.
Suspects and Incidents
As of January 3, 2025, this new year has kicked off with violent incidents that echo troubling patterns from previous years.
The tragedy in New Orleans is being treated as a suspected act of terrorism, claiming at least 15 lives.
In a separate Las Vegas event, one fatality was reported, along with seven injuries.
The FBI has named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran with prior ties to the Navy’s delayed entry program, as the main suspect in the Bourbon Street assault in New Orleans.
Meanwhile, authorities have also identified Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who is believed to have been driving a Tesla Cybertruck that detonated near Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Disturbingly, reports indicate that Livelsberger took his own life just before the explosion.
Public Speculation and Inquiry
The timing of these attacks has fueled widespread speculation online regarding any potential connections linked to the military backgrounds of the two suspects.
Some social media users mistakenly claimed both Jabbar and Livelsberger served at Fort Bragg, which has recently been renamed Fort Liberty.
However, the Associated Press clarified that their service periods did not overlap, and the FBI has confirmed there is no link between the two incidents.
Adding to the discourse, Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, shared a post that suggested Ryan Routh—the individual accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump—had reportedly visited Fort Liberty frequently before his arrest.
Musk referred to this claim as a “good question,” despite its lack of evidence and origins in dubious social media sources.
Furthermore, various commentators speculated that military actions against civilians may have played a role in radicalizing Jabbar, shedding light on how unverified rumors proliferate on social media.
Continuing Developments
It’s vital to emphasize that the motives behind these attacks remain uncertain.
Even if law enforcement confirms Jabbar and Livelsberger’s involvement, their military service may not have influenced their choices.
Task & Purpose aims to provide clarity in cases involving veterans while also highlighting the many positive contributions made by service members and veterans who have heroically assisted others.
In what is usually a quiet news period during the holidays, significant developments have surfaced recently.
Here’s a summary of noteworthy events from the past week:
- Airstrikes Targeting the Pakistani Taliban: On December 24, Pakistan launched airstrikes against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (T.T.P.) inside Afghanistan.
This group, which boasts around 6,000 fighters, has intensified attacks within Pakistan.
The Afghan Taliban have since asserted they are not providing refuge to the T.T.P., claiming their strikes are defensive measures against Pakistan.
- Controversy Over 9/11 Plea Deals: A recent appeals court decision determined that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not have the authority to dismiss plea agreements for three terrorism suspects associated with the September 11 attacks, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, alleged to be the mastermind.
- THAAD System’s First Combat Use: The U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system achieved its combat debut by successfully intercepting a missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen while deployed in Israel.
- Convictions of “MARSOC 3” Overturned: An appeals court invalidated felony convictions for two members of the “MARSOC 3,” who faced serious charges tied to the 2019 death of a former Green Beret acting as a security contractor in Iraq.
- Farewell to Jimmy Carter: The nation mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, a Navy veteran who played a pivotal role in developing nuclear submarines.
He passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, prompting President Joe Biden to declare January 9 a national day of mourning in his honor.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com