The FBI has revealed the identity of the person behind the tragic New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans: Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old man from Texas.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened:
A Deadly Attack on Bourbon Street
Jabbar was fatally shot by New Orleans police right after he opened fire on Bourbon Street. He had stepped out of his truck and started shooting, killing 14 people and injuring about 35 others. He was declared dead at the scene.
Who Was Shamsud-Din Jabbar?
Early Years & Military Service
Jabbar was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. According to his half-brother, Abdur Rahim Jabbar IV, Jabbar’s father converted to Islam after being raised Christian, and Jabbar followed in his footsteps. His mother later moved the family to Houston, where Jabbar attended the University of Houston. However, his partying lifestyle led to him losing his scholarship.
In 2007, Jabbar joined the U.S. Army, where he served for eight years, including a tour in Afghanistan. He earned the Global War on Terrorism medal for his service.
After leaving the military, Jabbar earned a degree from Georgia State University.
A Struggling Personal Life
In recent years, Jabbar’s life began to unravel. By 2021, he was in deep debt and going through his third divorce. His short stint as a real estate agent didn’t last long, but he eventually found work at Deloitte, where he stayed until his attack.
During this time, Jabbar’s views grew more radical. He posted online recordings of his own Islamic teachings and expressed strong opinions against music, which was a shift from his earlier life.
The Attack and His Radicalization
Jabbar visited New Orleans twice before the attack, even recording video of Bourbon Street while wearing Meta glasses. Just hours before the shooting, he posted five videos on Facebook explaining that his actions were inspired by ISIS.
The FBI confirmed that Jabbar had joined ISIS in 2023 and provided a will before the attack. In his videos, Jabbar spoke about a so-called “war between believers and disbelievers,” hinting that his motives were linked to radicalized beliefs.
Authorities stated that Jabbar acted alone, and there were no signs of accomplices in the U.S. They are, however, investigating his trips to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, in the summer of 2023.
This tragic event highlights the devastating impact of radicalization and the heartbreaking loss of life. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
