Months before Shamsud-Din Jabbar carried out a devastating attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, investigators revealed that he meticulously planned the violence during two prior visits to the city. Using high-tech Meta glasses with built-in cameras, Jabbar discreetly captured videos of his intended target, Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, and conducted surveillance on key intersections and crowded areas. The attack, which killed 14 people and injured many others, has left New Orleans grappling with immense grief as it begins 2025 under a cloud of tragedy.
Extensive Planning and Preparations
Jabbar’s use of Meta glasses played a significant role in his planning. During his first visit to New Orleans in October 2024, he rode a bicycle through the French Quarter, capturing detailed footage of the area. This reconnaissance enabled him to familiarise himself with the layout and identify potential points for maximum impact. He also recorded himself testing the functionality of the glasses at a home he rented, ensuring they worked effectively before conducting further surveillance.
In the weeks leading up to the attack, Jabbar rented a Ford F-150 truck and drove it from Texas to New Orleans, arriving on December 31. Bomb-making materials were later discovered at a residence he had rented in the city, where he set a fire before departing for Bourbon Street. The fire burned out on its own, but its timing suggests an attempt to divert attention.
Before the attack, Jabbar planted two improvised explosive devices in coolers near Bourbon Street. The first IED was left at Bourbon Street and St. Peters Street at approximately 1:53 a.m. CST on New Year’s Day. Surveillance footage showed that it was later moved a block away to Orleans Street by unsuspecting passers-by who mistook the cooler for an abandoned item. The second IED, placed at Bourbon and Toulouse Streets at approximately 2:20 a.m., was also discovered and deactivated by authorities. Both devices were described by the FBI as crude but potentially lethal.
Jabbar’s preparation included the installation of a transmitter in the truck, which investigators believe could have been used to trigger the explosives. His movements during prior visits to New Orleans remain under scrutiny as officials work to determine whether he received local assistance or scouted additional targets.
Unanswered Questions
Despite uncovering a detailed timeline of events, several questions remain. It is unclear why Jabbar specifically chose New Orleans as his target, and investigators have not found evidence of deeper operational ties to ISIS. Officials continue to explore whether his international travels, including visits to Egypt and Canada in 2023, influenced his ideology or the planning of the attack.
Jabbar’s actions are a stark reminder of the evolving threat posed by individuals radicalised online. Christopher Raia, an FBI counterterrorism official, described such lone actors as the “greatest terror threat” facing the United States, noting their ability to evade detection until it is too late.
A City in Mourning
The attack has left New Orleans in mourning, but the city has also demonstrated resilience. Bourbon Street reopened to the public shortly after the incident, and residents gathered for a vigil that featured a traditional second line procession. President Joe Biden is expected to visit the city, while preparations continue for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras celebrations.
The attack ended when Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police, during which two officers were wounded. Officials have commended the swift police response, crediting it with preventing further loss of life.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to extract lessons from this tragedy to better anticipate and disrupt similar threats in the future. For now, the city remains steadfast in its determination to honour the victims and move forward in the face of adversity.
