Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US Army veteran, perpetrated a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day 2025, claiming the lives of 15 people and injuring dozens more. CCTV footage obtained by CNN captured Jabbar preparing for the attack just hours before its execution. The footage shows him loading what appeared to be weapons and explosives into a rented Ford F-150 pickup truck parked outside his AirBnB, located merely two miles from the attack site on Bourbon Street. He had rented the truck in Houston on December 30th and was spotted driving towards New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Further surveillance footage places the vehicle in the French Quarter in the bustling hours leading up to the attack.
The attack unfolded around 3:15 am on New Year’s Day. Jabbar drove the truck along Canal Street, turned onto Bourbon Street, and, after circumventing barricades designed to restrict vehicle access, accelerated into the crowd of New Year’s revelers. Law enforcement officials believe Jabbar intentionally targeted the pedestrians, aiming to inflict maximum casualties. Following the attack, he engaged in a firefight with police officers and was subsequently killed. An ISIS flag was discovered affixed to the back of the truck, solidifying the terrorist nature of the attack.
Prior to the attack, Jabbar had posted five videos on social media professing his allegiance to ISIS and documenting his journey from Houston to New Orleans. Initially, he intended to target his family and ex-wife in a planned “celebration” of violence. However, he shifted his focus, opting to attack strangers to amplify the message of his act and frame it as a “war between believers and disbelievers,” according to FBI officials. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar’s actions were directly inspired by ISIS ideology and are actively investigating the factors that led to his radicalization.
Jabbar’s background reveals a complex individual. He served in the US Army for over a decade, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, primarily in human resources and IT roles. Despite his military service, which included commendations for professionalism and dedication from his superiors, he embraced extremist ideology. He had converted to Islam after being raised Christian and, at the time of the attack, held a well-paying IT job. His brother, Abdur Jabbar, described him as a “sweetheart,” “nice guy,” and “caring,” expressing disbelief and emphasizing that Jabbar’s actions did not reflect Islamic teachings but rather a form of radicalization.
Jabbar’s military record shows both active duty and reserve service, spanning from 2007 to 2020, concluding with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He briefly enlisted in the Navy in August 2024, five months before the attack, but was discharged before attending boot camp. Former commanding officers described him as a “professional soldier” and expressed shock at his involvement in the attack, highlighting the stark contrast between his military conduct and his later extremist actions.
The investigation into Jabbar’s past has unearthed a few minor legal infractions, including arrests for theft and driving with an invalid license. Reports also surfaced about his living conditions in a rundown trailer park on the outskirts of Houston, where he kept livestock. Neighbors described him as quiet and reserved, providing little insight into his radicalization. The stark contrast between his seemingly normal life and the horrific act he committed underscores the complexities of understanding and predicting acts of terrorism. The ongoing investigation seeks to further unravel Jabbar’s motivations and the path that led him to perpetrate such a devastating attack.
