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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a devastating act of terrorism that claimed the lives of at least 14 people and left over 35 injured, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran, carried out a premeditated attack on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans’ iconic Bourbon Street. According to the NBC News report, the FBI confirmed on Thursday that Jabbar had posted multiple videos online expressing his allegiance to ISIS before committing the violent act.
As NBC News reported, Christopher Raia, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counter-Terrorism Division, disclosed that Jabbar documented his plans on Facebook in the hours leading up to the attack. In these disturbing videos, Jabbar revealed that he had initially considered harming his own family and friends but ultimately decided to shift his focus. He expressed concern that such an act would fail to generate the level of public attention he desired, specifically headlines highlighting the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.” Raia emphasized, “This was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act… He was 100 percent inspired by ISIS.”
According to the information provided in the NBC News report, investigators pieced together Jabbar’s final days and determined that he rented a white Ford F-150 Lightning truck in Houston on December 30. He then traveled to New Orleans on December 31, carrying out his deadly mission in the early hours of January 1. In the hours leading up to the attack, Jabbar posted five videos between 1:30 a.m. and just after 3:00 a.m., explicitly claiming he had joined ISIS earlier in the summer. Additionally, authorities revealed that Jabbar left behind a will and testament.
NBC News reported that Jabbar’s choice of location remains unclear to investigators, though Bourbon Street—a historic and heavily frequented tourist hub—was predictably crowded on New Year’s Eve. Surveillance footage revealed Jabbar placing two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers—one on Bourbon Street and another two blocks away. Fortunately, neither device detonated and both were later rendered safe by authorities.
FBI officials, cited by NBC News, confirmed that Jabbar acted alone. “We’re confident at this point that he had no accomplices,” Raia stated. Despite operating independently, Jabbar’s actions were meticulously planned and executed with lethal precision.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Jabbar launched his final assault. With an ISIS flag affixed to the hitch of his rented truck, he bypassed barriers, officers, and other security measures before driving directly into a crowd of New Year’s revelers. As the NBC News report detailed, at least 14 people were killed in the attack, and over 35 others suffered injuries of varying severity.
The chaos concluded in a violent gunfight between Jabbar and law enforcement. Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds but are reported to be in stable condition, according to the information in the NBC News report. Jabbar was fatally shot on-site, ending the immediate threat but leaving a city—and a nation—grappling with shock and grief.\
FBI officials have urged the public to share any relevant information they may have regarding Jabbar or his activities. Raia revealed to NBC News that over 400 tips have already been received from individuals across New Orleans and other regions of the country. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation from the public to fully understand Jabbar’s network and motives.
“We are looking into everything in his life,” said Christopher Raia, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counter-Terrorism Division, as reported by NBC News. Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge of Jabbar—whether they served with him in the military, worked alongside him, or encountered him in Texas or New Orleans—to come forward with information.
The report on NBC News revealed that investigators have recovered three cell phones and two laptops linked to Jabbar. These devices are currently being examined to uncover possible connections, communications, or digital traces of his radicalization. The FBI hopes these electronic footprints will provide crucial insights into his motives, influences, and whether any external actors played a role in his planning.
Jabbar’s military history is also under scrutiny. Jabbar served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2015, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve until 2020, achieving the rank of staff sergeant before being honorably discharged. His decade-long military career suggests discipline, experience, and training—factors that investigators believe might have played a role in his methodical execution of the attack.
Following his military career, Jabbar transitioned into the civilian workforce. According to the information in the NBC News report, he had been employed by the professional services giant Deloitte in a staff-level position since 2021. Deloitte confirmed his employment and expressed their cooperation with authorities during the investigation.
Jabbar’s academic background also paints the picture of a man who had carved out a stable post-military life. Published reports indicate that he attended Georgia State University from 2015 to 2017, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in computer information systems.
Despite these markers of stability and professional success, civil records obtained by NBC News reveal a more complicated personal life. Jabbar was married twice—first in 2012 and again in 2022. Both marriages ended in divorce, raising questions about potential emotional or psychological stressors that may have contributed to his radicalization.
The shockwaves from Jabbar’s actions have reverberated through his family. A woman identifying herself as Jabbar’s sister-in-law spoke with NBC News under the condition of anonymity. Her words reflect the confusion and disbelief shared by many who knew him. “It makes no sense,” she said. “He’s the nicest person I’ve ever known.” Her comments further underline the baffling contrast between Jabbar’s perceived character and his violent final actions.
In the same interview with NBC News, she added, “I really don’t know what happened. He was a good man. He takes care of his children and everything.” Her words emphasize the haunting complexity of Jabbar’s duality—a man who could be seen as a caring father and responsible professional, yet who harbored the extremist ideology that drove him to commit mass murder.
Authorities continue to appeal to anyone with information about Jabbar’s past, his activities in recent weeks, or interactions with him before the attack to step forward.
While answers may eventually emerge from the digital evidence and witness testimonies, the scars left by the attack remain fresh. Families mourn, a city rebuilds, and authorities intensify their commitment to preventing similar tragedies. Through relentless investigation and public cooperation, officials hope to prevent future acts of terror inspired by extremist ideologies.
