- Attack Details: Jabbar targeted Bourbon Street for its high visibility and potential for mass casualties. He placed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers, then drove a rented truck adorned with an ISIS flag into the crowd, bypassing security. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, he engaged in a shootout with police before being killed.
- Background and Struggles: A former IT specialist with a military background, Jabbar faced personal and financial hardships, including failed marriages, debt, and emotional distress. His brother described him as once kind and intelligent but acknowledged his radicalization. Investigators found no direct ties to foreign terrorist organizations or co-conspirators.
- Aftermath and Investigation: Bourbon Street has reopened with heightened security as New Orleans recovers. The FBI continues to investigate Jabbar’s radicalization, analyzing his digital footprint and conducting interviews. President Biden assured the public there is no ongoing threat, but the attack underscores the challenges of homegrown terrorism.
In the aftermath of the devastating New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, authorities have uncovered chilling details about the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, after raiding his Houston home. The 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran, who killed 14 people and injured dozens more in a horrific truck rampage, left behind a disturbing trail of evidence that paints a picture of a man deeply radicalized by ISIS ideology.
Jabbar’s north Houston trailer home, now in disarray after an FBI raid, revealed a makeshift bomb-making station filled with chemical residue, bottles, and compounds commonly used in explosives. Among the chaos, a Quran was found open to a chilling passage: “They fight in Allah’s cause, and slay and are slain; a promise binding…” The verse, 9:111, is often cited by extremists to justify violence in the name of jihad. The Quran, prominently displayed on a bookshelf in his living room, was surrounded by numerous Islamic texts and a rolled-up prayer rug, further underscoring Jabbar’s ideological alignment with ISIS.
The FBI confirmed that Jabbar acted alone in the attack, meticulously planning the carnage in the hours leading up to the rampage. Before driving from Houston to New Orleans, he posted five disturbing videos on Facebook, declaring his allegiance to ISIS and outlining his intentions. In the first video, timestamped at 1:29 a.m., Jabbar revealed he had initially planned to kill his family and friends but changed his mind, fearing the media coverage would not focus on the “war between the believers and disbelievers.”
Investigators believe Jabbar specifically chose Bourbon Street as his target due to its high visibility and the potential for mass casualties. Surveillance footage shows him placing two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers along the street before driving a rented Ford F-150 truck into the crowd. The truck, adorned with an ISIS flag, plowed through pedestrians over a three-block stretch, bypassing security barriers and parked police cars. Jabbar then exited the vehicle armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, opening fire on officers before being killed in a shootout.
He was a regular guy, before becoming radical
The FBI’s search of Jabbar’s Houston home also uncovered a tactical gun sling marked “designed by Veterans in the USA,” highlighting his military background. Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2015, including an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan. Despite his military service, he faced personal and financial struggles, including two failed marriages, mounting debt, and a restraining order from his second wife, who accused him of threatening behavior.
Authorities are still piecing together what led to Jabbar’s radicalization. Born in Texas, he had a successful career as an IT specialist, working for top consulting firms like Accenture, EY, and Deloitte. However, his life spiraled into turmoil in recent years, with court records revealing significant financial hardship and emotional distress. His younger brother, Abdur Jabbar, described him as “a sweetheart really, a nice guy, a friend, really smart, caring,” but acknowledged that his actions were driven by radicalization, not religion.
The FBI has conducted hundreds of interviews and analyzed Jabbar’s social media accounts, laptops, and cellphones, finding no evidence of co-conspirators or direct ties to foreign terrorist organizations. President Joe Biden emphasized that there is no current threat to the public, but the investigation remains ongoing.
As New Orleans begins to heal, the city has reopened Bourbon Street ahead of the Sugar Bowl, with heightened security measures in place. Mayor LaToya Cantrell reassured the public that the city is ready to host large-scale events, even as the community mourns the lives lost in the attack.
The tragedy has left a lasting scar on New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant culture and resilience. As investigators continue to unravel the motives behind Jabbar’s actions, the nation is left grappling with the sobering reality of homegrown terrorism and the complex factors that drive individuals to commit such atrocities.
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