In a tragic start to the New Year, New Orleans was rocked by a terror attack on January 1, leaving 15 people dead. The attacker, identified as Shamsuddin Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. soldier, was radicalized by the Islamic State (ISIS) after struggling with failed marriages and severe financial issues, according to ongoing investigations.
Jabbar, an IT specialist and real estate agent, drove a pickup truck loaded with firearms and explosives into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street. Wearing body armor and military fatigues, he opened fire on the crowd using an AR-style rifle and a handgun. After ramming the vehicle, Jabbar exited and engaged in a shootout with police officers, injuring two before being fatally shot. The FBI later confirmed that the vehicle bore an ISIS flag.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Alithea Duncan stated, “We do not believe Jabbar acted alone,” suggesting the possibility of broader connections to ISIS. President Joe Biden also confirmed Jabbarâs links to the global terror organization responsible for numerous deadly attacks worldwide. However, it remains unclear whether Jabbar was directly affiliated with an ISIS network or simply inspired by its propaganda.
Hours before the attack, Jabbar posted five videos on social media, declaring his allegiance to ISIS and expressing violent intentions. Photos taken after the attack show Jabbarâs lifeless body near the truck, clad in camouflage pants.
According to military records obtained by NBC News, Jabbar served actively in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2015 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. He later served five years in the Army Reserves before retiring honourably in 2020 as a Staff Sergeant.
Jabbar, who had two daughtersâone a school-aged child and another a young adultâreportedly became radicalized in the past year. His second wifeâs attorney revealed that Jabbar had begun exploring Islamic extremism in recent years and had displayed erratic behavior.
Court documents also revealed financial troubles, including over $27,000 in debt, a failed property business, and a divorce in 2022, which left him at risk of losing his home. Jabbar had also been convicted of minor offenses such as theft and driving with a suspended license.
The attack marks a somber beginning to 2025, raising questions about domestic extremism, the influence of global terrorist organizations, and the challenges of identifying and addressing radicalization in individuals.
