Details have emerged regarding the suspect involved in the tragic New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that resulted in the deaths of 15 people. The individual has been identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old from Texas and a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict. Jabbar drove his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street, leading to what the FBI has described as an “act of terrorism.” He was killed during a confrontation with law enforcement shortly after the attack.
Evidence suggests that Jabbar recorded several social media videos while en route from Texas to Louisiana. Initially, he spoke about a family gathering to celebrate but subsequently revealed intentions to carry out violence, including a desire to join ISIS. Authorities discovered a flag associated with the terrorist group and an incendiary device in the rental truck he used for the attack, which was reportedly manufactured at a nearby Airbnb he had rented prior to the incident.
FBI officials have indicated that Jabbar was heavily inspired by ISIS, and they are continuing their investigation to uncover any additional connections. His military background includes service in the Army from 2007 until his retirement in 2020, though he had faced legal issues, including a DUI arrest in 2015 and a restraining order in 2020 during a divorce.
Initially, authorities expressed doubts about Jabbar acting alone but later confirmed there is no evidence to suggest others were involved. The truck used in the attack was rented through the Turo platform, which is now under scrutiny due to a recent unrelated incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck.
The attack occurred during New Year’s celebrations and led not only to significant casualties but also raised security concerns, prompting local police to enhance their presence in the aftermath. In a statement, President Joe Biden extended condolences to the victims’ families and condemned the violence, reinforcing that such acts will not be tolerated in the community.
This event marks one of the deadliest attacks in the U.S. since a mass shooting in October 2023 in Maine.