Suspect killed after deadly Bourbon St attack on New Year’s.
NEW ORLEANS — A New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans is now being investigated as terrorism. At least 15 people are dead, including the suspect, and dozens more are injured.
The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar. Jabbar was killed by police after executing a multi-staged attack on Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day.
He drove a pickup truck into crowds at 3:15 AM, shot two responding officers, and was fatally wounded in the ensuing gunfight, police say. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the attack as “a deliberate attempt to harm as many people as possible.”
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno said Jabbar was wearing full military gear.
Police also discovered an improvised explosive device at the scene, though its viability has not been released to the public.
The Airbnb that Jabbar allegedly rented in the St. Roch neighborhood, identified as a house along the 1300 block of Mandeville Street, was reportedly raided by police. Authorities confiscated items including suspected explosives or bomb-making material.
A fire broke out at the Airbnb on Wednesday. Investigators are working to figure out if the fire and the attack are linked.
Jabbar was carrying an ISIS flag in the truck, according to the FBI. In a Wednesday afternoon news conference, FBI officials said Jabbar was a U.S.-born citizen from Texas. He was also an Army veteran. The FBI also said that it did not believe Jabbar acted alone.
He rented the truck that he used in the attack from Texas through an app and drove to New Orleans to carry out the attack.
A US official confirmed with CBS News that Jabbar previously served in the US military.
Bourbon Street attack suspect unknowns
- Motive for the attack
- Connection to any terrorist organization
What we know
- Jabbar, of Houston, was identified as the driver responsible for the attack
- Jabbar is a U.S. Army veteran
- Three men and a woman were seen placing an IED near the attack
- The truck used was rented from someone in Pasadena, Texas
- The FBI has classified the attack as terrorism
- The FBI is also investigating any ties to terrorist organizations
Jabbar posted video before attack saying he was inspired by ISIS
President Joe Biden said during remarks Wednesday evening that Jabbar posted a video to social media hours before the attack indicating he was inspired by ISIS.
Biden also said Jabbar expressed a desire to kill.
FBI, Harris County Search home
According to public records, his most recent address is listed as being in north Harris County, Texas.
The FBI in Houston released the following statement Thursday morning saying that their agents and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office had finished searching the suspect’s home.
“At approximately 7:50 a.m., FBI Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office concluded a court-authorized search and cleared the 12000 block of Crescent Peak Drive. At this time, there is no threat to residents in that area. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide any details. FBI New Orleans remains the primary field office responsible for investigating yesterday’s Bourbon Street attack.”
The FBI said Jabbar was an Army veteran, who they believe was honorably discharged — but was working to confirm that.
What we know about Jabbar in the Army
Jabbar was in the regular Army as a human resource (HR) specialist and information technology (IT) specialist from March 2007 until January 2015, according to a U.S. Army spokesman.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an IT specialist from January 2015 to July 2020, authorities said.
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, and he held the rank of staff sergeant at the end of service.
What we know about the truck used
A man connected to the truck used in the deadly attack on Bourbon Street has confirmed that the vehicle had been rented via an app.
The truck used in the early morning attack had a Texas license plate. A man who would not identify himself at the Pasadena address connected to the license plate did not answer questions when approached by KHOU 11 News. He only confirmed that the vehicle had been rented out.
The AP reported that the pickup truck used in the attack was rented via Turo. Turo is an app that connects drivers, known as “guests,” with vehicle owners, known as “hosts,” according to Steve Webb, the company’s vice president of communications.
“We are heartbroken to learn that one of our host’s vehicles was involved in this awful incident,” Webb said in an email. “We are actively partnering with the FBI. We are not currently aware of anything in this guest’s background that would have identified him as a trust and safety threat to us at the time of the reservation.”
Divorce records reveal information about Jabbar’s finances
Jabbar’s personal history shows heavy bills that piled up and failing business, mounting tens of thousands of dollars and seemingly adding to his financial exhaustion.
Divorce records show that in January 2022, Jabbar was $27,000 behind on house payments, according to the AP.
He wanted to quickly finalize the divorce.
“I have exhausted all means of bringing the loan current other than a loan modification, leaving us no alternative but to sell the house or allow it to go into foreclosure,” he wrote in an email to his now-ex-wife’s attorney.
The AP reported his businesses were struggling, too. One, Blue Meadow Properties LLC, lost about $28,000 over the previous year. Two others he started, Jabbar Real Estate Holdings LLC and BDQ L3C, weren’t worth anything.
The divorce was approved in September 2024.
Criminal history
Records show that Jabbar had been previously charged with infractions including a misdemeanor theft charge in 2002 and driving with an invalid license in 2005.
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