What we know about Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s attacker
ReutersFifteen people were killed and at least 35 injured after a man apparently inspired by the Islamic State group drove into large crowds in New Orleans, Louisiana, early in the new year, authorities said.
Here’s what we know so far about what happened and the culprit.
How did the attack happen?
At 03:15 local time on New Year’s Day, a Ford pickup truck drove into a crowd gathered on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
CCTV footage shows a white Ford F-150 Lightning driving up the sidewalk to get around a police car before hitting a pedestrian.
Police described the act as “very deliberate”, adding that the attacker – identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar – had “intentionally caused the carnage and damage he caused “.
“This man tried to hit as many people as possible,” said New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick.
Jabbar was also armed and opened fire on law enforcement, injuring two officers. He was then killed by police gunfire.
Whit Davis, from Shreveport, Louisiana, told the BBC he was held in a bar with a large group after the attack while police secured the scene.
As they left, he said, they “passed dead and injured bodies all over the street”.
Who is Shamsud-Din Jabbar?
FBIThe FBI named the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, an Army veteran and US citizen from Texas.
A flag associated with the Islamic State (IS) group was found on the car he was driving and the FBI said it was investigating what links Jabbar might have to terrorist groups.
In his evening remarks, President Joe Biden said the FBI had briefed him on the attack. The suspect uploaded a video to social media “just hours before the attack” showing that he was inspired by ISIS and expressed “a desire to kill,” Biden said.
Suspected explosive devices were also found in the area.
A long gun fitted with a “silencer” – which acts as a silencer – was also recovered.
According to his now-deleted LinkedIn profile, Jabbar served in various roles in the US Army, including human resources and IT, before being discharged. He was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010.
In a YouTube video posted in 2020, Jabbar said his time in the military taught him “the meaning of great service and the meaning of responding and taking things seriously, dot the i and cross the t’s to ensure that everything goes without a hitch”.
He studied at George State University from 2015 to 2017, graduating with a major in Computer Information Systems.
He has been married twice. His first marriage ended in 2012 and his second marriage lasted from 2017 to 2022.
He also appears to have worked in real estate, with a license that expired in 2021. He has previous convictions related to traffic violations and theft.
The pickup truck he was driving was electric and was believed to have been rented in Texas through an app name is Turo.
Are there any more suspects?
The FBI said it believes the suspect helped carry out the attack, specifically in placing the suspected explosive devices.
CBS reports that law enforcement has not yet released evidence about those co-conspirators.
Earlier reports said authorities were reviewing the footage, but CBS reported that the footage was determined to be viewed by bystanders only.
Who is the victim?
Among the dead was former Princeton University football star Martin “Tiger” Bech, according to the school’s athletic department.
“There is no more appropriate nickname for a Princeton player I have coached,” Bob Surace, head football coach, said in a statement.
“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a fierce competitor with boundless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend.”
The president of the University of Georgia said a student was seriously injured, while the Israeli government said two nationals were among the injured.
Police said it appeared the victims were mainly locals from New Orleans, although there were many tourists visiting to celebrate New Year’s and the Sugar Bowl, part of the American football playoffs , has now been postponed.
Where did this happen?
Bourbon Street is a popular tourist and nightlife destination with many restaurants, bars and clubs with live music.
It is located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a vibrant area that attracts tourists and locals alike, especially to celebrate the New Year.
It was founded by the French in 1718 and the original street network designed at that time was central to attracting visitors to the city.
Every year, more than a million people flock to the famous Mardi Gras festival and parade in spring, famous for the colorful beads worn by partygoers.
