On New Year’s Day, a tragic incident unfolded in New Orleans when a pickup truck rammed into a crowded market, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 35 others. The suspect behind the attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was identified by the FBI as a 42-year-old Texas resident and U.S. citizen.
The attack occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day at approximately 3:15 AM, at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Witnesses reported seeing a white Ford pickup truck driving at high speed into the crowd. The driver later exited the vehicle and reportedly fired a gun, adding to the chaos.
Law enforcement described the attack as deliberate. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated, “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could. He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”
Shamsud-Din Jabbar is a 42 year old man from Texas. He drove a rental truck into Louisiana and carried out the attack. Jabbar was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police at the scene.
The FBI has classified the incident as a terrorist act. They suspect Jabbar did not act alone and are actively searching for accomplices. Several items found during the investigation include: Four improvised explosive devices were discovered in the truck along with the weapons like a long gun was recovered. The truck displayed a black flag associated with the Islamic State group.
The FBI reported that Jabbar, a former real estate agent and military veteran, who had a history of financial disparity and personal challenges. Jabbar served in the US Army from 2007 to 2015, he was even deployed into Afghanistan, and continued in the Army Reserve until 2020, according to media reports.
Media reports also revealed that Jabbar’s personal life was not in good state. He was divorced in 2022, due to severe financial difficulties. His real estate business reportedly lost significant money, and he was burdened with debt. His brother described him as a caring person, but said that Jabbar’s actions were “not representative of Islam” and pointed to potential radicalisation.
Authorities are investigating Jabbar’s Airbnb rental for further threats or evidence. Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan from the FBI’s New Orleans field office confirmed that the discovery of explosive devices has escalated concerns over the potential for further attacks.
Both CBS News and CNN reported witness accounts of the gunfire during the attack. The deliberate nature of the act, coupled with the presence of explosives, highlights the severity of the incident, which has left the city and its residents in mourning.
The FBI and local authorities are continuing their investigations to determine the full extent of Jabbar’s plans and any affiliations he may have had with terrorist organizations. Further updates are expected in the coming days.
