Image source, Reuters

We've just seen an update from Melania Trump, who has posted on social media, external in an apparent reference both to the New Orleans rampage and the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion.

The incoming first lady describes recent "incidents of violence" as "deeply concerning".

"The brutality must stop," she adds in a post on X.

"My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss.

"Let us strive for a future where peace prevails," she says.

Image source, Reuters

A short while ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on his social media site X, external about the deadly New Orleans rampage.

He suggests the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas and the New Orleans attack, both which happened earlier today, perhaps could be "linked in some way".

Musk earlier said the Las Vegas explosion, which killed the driver and injured seven people, was caused by "very large fireworks" or a bomb carried in the Cybertruck, and is "unrelated to the vehicle itself".

President Biden gave a press conference not long ago and said there is no link between the New Orleans attack and Vegas Cybertruck blast yet.

Tom Bateman
BBC News

We’ve arrived in the French quarter of New Orleans and the first thing that strikes you is how much of this is still going, the Cajun restaurants and seafood joints.

People walking past lines of police taped have a bewildered expression on their faces.

I’m seeing even more state troopers and police cars showing up now. A very wide area has been sealed off.

They’re still selling college Game T-shirts here for the big game that was supposed to be happening tonight but is still going ahead tomorrow.

You do get sense of people determined to be resilient in the shadow of Bourbon street just across the junction.

Image source, Reuters

Earlier today, we heard from FBI investigators who said they believe the suspect had help in carrying out his attack, particularly in placing suspected explosive devices.

CBS, the BBC's American news partner, reports that law enforcement has not yet released evidence of those accomplices.

Earlier reports said authorities were reviewing video footage, but CBS reports that the footage has been determined to only show bystanders.

President Biden also said investigators are looking into whether the New Orleans attack is possibly linked to the explosion of a cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas a few hours ago.

"Thus far, there is nothing to report... at this time," he said.

He added that he has made "every resource" available to law enforcement and counter terrorism police to "make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people".

Biden also says law enforcement will continue to look for any connections, associations or co-conspirators.

His press conference has now ended and we'll continue to bring you other updates.

Biden continues by saying he's been briefed by authorities.

He says the FBI has told him the suspect had uploaded videos to social media "mere hours before the attack" indicating that he was inspired by IS and expressing a "desire to kill".

The president starts his address by calling the attack "despicable".

"To all the families of those who were killed, to all those who were injured, to all the people in New Orleans who are grieving, I want you to know I grieve with you," he says.

President Joe Biden has just begun his press conference about the New Orleans attack.

We're listening in and will bring you the latest lines as we get them.

We're expecting to hear an update from US President Joe Biden shortly, who is due to give an address from Camp David about the latest developments in New Orleans.

Stick with us right here as we bring you the latest.

For those of you just joining us, here’s a list of what we know, and what information we have yet to receive, about the New Orleans attack that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day:

• The FBI has named the driver of the vehicle that plowed through the crowd on Bourbon Street as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen and Army veteran from Texas. He was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police
• Authorities have now said that 15 people were killed in the attack and at least 35 others were injured. It is being investigated as an act of terrorism
• Authorities continue to investigate whether Jabbar, the primary suspect, acted alone or had help
• CBS news reports that Jabbar rented an Airbnb in New Orleans. A fire broke out on Wednesday but it is not clear if there was a link with the attack
• The FBI said an Islamic State flag was found in the vehicle used in the attack, as well as weapons and a potential improvised explosive device. They also said that potential improvised explosive devices were found in the French Quarter area of New Orleans where the attack took place
• Details of the suspects motive have yet to be announced by investigators. The FBI is working to determine whether the suspect had any potential affiliations with the group or other terrorist organisations

Image source, Getty Images

The attack this morning in New Orleans comes just before a big day in American football.

The Sugar Bowl, an annual university football game, was scheduled for Wednesday evening in the city. Event organisers said earlier they would be postponing the game in response to the attack until tomorrow.

With Los Angeles' Rose Bowl, millions of Americans watch the two games that traditionally take place on New Year's Day. The games are also big tourist draws for their host cities.

The Sugar Bowl dates back to 1935, playing host to many of the best coaches, players and teams in college football history.

The Super Bowl, America's biggest sporting event, is scheduled for 9 February at the same New Orleans venue as the Sugar Bowl - the 83,000 capacity Caesars Superdome.

Image source, USA TODAY Sports

Shamsud-Din Jabbar served in the US Army as a human resource specialist and information technology specialist from March 2007 until January 2015, according to an Army spokesperson.

During that time, he was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010.

He then served in the Army Reserve as an IT specialist from January 2015 until July 2020. He held the rank of staff sergeant at the end of his service, the spokesperson said.

In Texas, the FBI are asking people to avoid an area in north Houston, where they are conducting "law enforcement activity" linked to the attack in New Orleans early Wednesday morning.

They are operating near the intersection between Hugh Road and Crescent Peak Drive, an FBI statement on X says.

"FBI Houson personnel and specialised teams will be on-site for several hours," it reads.

"This activity is related to this morning's New Orleans attack, but due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no further information can be provided," the statement continues.

The FBI has released a photo of New Orleans attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar.

Jabbar was previously arrested twice in Texas, according to records from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

He was arrested in November 2002 in Katy, Texas on a lower-level theft charge, to which he pleaded guilty and was issued a small fine and probation.

He was arrested a second time in June 2005 by the Beaumont Police Department on charges of driving with an invalid license, a lower-tier offense. He pleaded no contest, paid a fine and was sentenced to a short probation, according to public records.

Image source, FBI

We're getting more from the New Orleans coroner now. In a statement, Dr Dwight McKenna says it will take several days to complete autopsies on the victims.

He says that once these are completed and authorities have spoken to their next of kin, the identities of the victims will be released.

"As we work diligently in co-ordination with the New Orleans Police Department, FBI, and Homeland Security, we remain committed to supporting the community during this tragic time in our city," Dr McKenna adds.

We've just had an update from the New Orleans coroner, who has confirmed that the number of people killed in the attack has risen from 10 to 15.

The Associated Press reports that authorities found guns and pipe bombs in the vehicle, according to a Louisiana State Police bulletin the outlet obtained.

The bulletin describes devices that were concealed inside coolers and wired for remote detonation. A remote control was also discovered.

We are starting to learn the names of some of the victims of the New Orleans attack through local and US media reports.

The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reports that 18-year-old Nikyra Dedeaux, 37-year-old Reggie Hunter, and 27-year-old Tiger Bech were among those who died.

The Associated Press also spoke to a friend of Dedeaux's who witnessed the tragedy.

A University of Georgia student was critically injured, according to a statement from the school's president, Jere W Morehead.

Two Israeli citizens were among those injured in the attack, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also posted on X.

At the news conference earlier, officials said they believed the attacker may not have been operating alone.

Our US partner CBS News is reporting that investigators are focusing on the suspected explosive devices found at the scene as part of this line of inquiry.

Two such devices were found in the vehicle and at least one other was found in the area and detonated by law enforcement, a source told CBS.

Investigators are said to be reviewing footage to see if anyone helped to place these devices.

Witness Steve Hyde has told the BBC about his experience of being in a New Orleans bar in the early hours of New Year's Day as a car drove through a crowd on Bourbon Street.

Hyde tells us he heard gunfire ring out and saw people fleeing from the attack.

Watch his story below: