Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the ISIS-inspired terrorist behind the deadly New Year’s attack in New Orleans, kept a bomb-making station in his rundown Houston trailer home, where investigators uncovered chilling evidence of his radicalization.
Exclusive photos obtained by The Post reveal a Quran opened to a passage encouraging “slaying in the name of Allah,” alongside chemical residues, bomb-making materials, and a prayer rug.
Bomb-Making Station and Martyrdom Symbolism
Jabbar’s home was a chaotic mix of squalor and deadly intent. The Quran, prominently displayed in his living room, was opened to Verse 9:111, which describes fighting and dying for Allah as a path to paradise. Surrounding it were books on Islam, chemical compounds, and a workbench strewn with monitors and tools. The FBI inventory listed numerous bomb-making components seized during their raid on Wednesday.
Photos show the home in complete disarray after the raid, with cabinets torn open and furniture overturned. The black flag of ISIS was found in the explosive-laden Ford F-150 truck Jabbar drove into the Bourbon Street crowd, killing 14 and injuring dozens.
Trail of Radicalization and Personal Collapse
Born and raised in Texas, Jabbar’s life took a dark turn in recent years. The 42-year-old Army veteran served in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 but left active duty in 2015 after disciplinary issues. Despite earning degrees in IT and working for top consulting firms like Deloitte, Jabbar faced mounting personal and financial struggles. He went through two divorces, lost custody of his children, and claimed financial hardship, with debts exceeding his $7,500 monthly income.
Jabbar’s radicalization appears to have occurred in the years leading up to the attack. FBI officials revealed he posted five disturbing Facebook videos during his drive to New Orleans, declaring his allegiance to ISIS and showcasing his will. Initially planning to murder his family, Jabbar said he shifted his focus to a larger target to spark media attention on what he called the “war between believers and disbelievers.”
Attack Details and FBI Investigation
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, Jabbar carried out his attack on Bourbon Street, planting two improvised explosive devices along the way. Authorities safely neutralized the devices and confirmed Jabbar acted alone. Surveillance footage and searches of his social media, three cellphones, and two laptops revealed no external assistance in the plot.
FBI Counterterrorism official Chris Raia stated, “There was nothing to indicate he was aided in this attack by anybody.”
A Family in Shock
Jabbar’s family struggles to reconcile his actions with the man they knew. His brother, Abdur Jabbar, described him as a “sweetheart” and dismissed religion as the root cause. “This is more some type of radicalization, not religion,” he said.
As investigators piece together Jabbar’s path to terrorism, the tragedy leaves lingering questions about how a promising Army veteran spiraled into extremism, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak.
