In the hours leading up to the deadly New Year’s attack in New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar shared a series of disturbing Facebook videos detailing his plans and motivations.
The 42-year-old Army veteran, who killed 14 people and injured dozens by driving a rented Ford F-150 Lightning into a crowd on Bourbon Street, claimed dreams inspired him to join ISIS and revealed an initial intent to murder his family.
From Family Tragedy to Public Attack
Jabbar’s videos, disclosed by FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia, show a chilling evolution of his plans. Initially, Jabbar intended to gather his family under the guise of a “celebration” before killing them. However, he changed course, aiming instead to make headlines by highlighting what he called the “war between the believers and disbelievers.” Jabbar declared allegiance to ISIS in the videos, recorded shortly before the 3:15 a.m. attack on January 1.
Authorities revealed Jabbar also planted two improvised explosive devices before ramming his truck into the crowd. The devices were safely neutralized. Jabbar died in a shootout with police, and an ISIS flag was later found in his vehicle.
A Troubled Transition from Soldier to Terrorist
Investigators are now scrutinizing Jabbar’s digital footprint and personal history to understand his path from a decorated military career to a radicalized extremist. A Texas native, Jabbar served in Afghanistan as a human resources and IT specialist before leaving the Army Reserve in 2020 as a staff sergeant.
Family members expressed shock and disbelief. “He was slow to anger, very well-tempered,” his brother, Abdur, told CNN. “This isn’t the man we knew.” Abdur described growing up with Jabbar in a devout Muslim household but insisted his brother never showed signs of radicalization.
Financial Struggles and Personal Setbacks
Jabbar’s later years were marked by financial difficulties and legal troubles. Divorced twice, he faced lawsuits over child support and a restraining order during his second marriage. He also experienced significant financial setbacks, including a failed business and mounting debts, which he mentioned in emails filed during his divorce proceedings.
Despite his outward professionalism—earning degrees in IT and working for prestigious firms like Deloitte—his personal life unraveled, with signs of strain that may have contributed to his radicalization.
Connections to Another Attack Under Investigation
Jabbar rented the truck through Turo, the same platform linked to a separate incident in Las Vegas. Hours after the New Orleans attack, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel, killing its driver. Authorities are investigating whether the two events are connected, though initial findings suggest both attackers operated independently.
A Turo spokesperson confirmed cooperation with law enforcement and expressed condolences for the victims, adding that neither renter had flagged criminal backgrounds during the platform’s vetting process.
Unanswered Questions Remain
As the investigation unfolds, authorities and Jabbar’s family are left grappling with unanswered questions about his radicalization and motives. The attack, which marred the start of 2025, has left a nation in mourning and renewed concerns over lone-wolf terrorism.
