A horrific attack on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, which resulted in at least 15 fatalities and 30 injuries, has left the city in shock. The driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police after the incident. Authorities have since revealed that Jabbar filmed a series of videos before the attack, in which he confessed to planning to murder his family and claimed to have joined ISIS.
Jabbar’s chilling confession in videos
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, responsible for the deadly truck ramming attack, recorded several videos where he spoke about his plan to kill his family. According to law enforcement, Jabbar revealed in the videos that he intended to invite his family to a “celebration” as a cover for his deadly intentions. He had two daughters, aged 15 and 20, from a previous marriage.
In the recordings, Jabbar also admitted to joining ISIS, mentioning various thoughts and dreams of aligning with the terrorist group.
Law enforcement believes these videos were filmed during his drive from Texas to Louisiana before the attack. He had been facing personal and financial turmoil, including significant debt from a second divorce and a struggling real estate business.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar: A troubling background
Jabbar, 42, a Texas native and Army veteran, had a troubled background. A former IT specialist and real estate agent, he served in the military from 2007 to 2020, including a deployment to Afghanistan. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and is investigating his potential ties to terrorist organizations.
The attack, which left many dead and injured, led to a manhunt across Louisiana. FBI agent Alethea Duncan stated that Jabbar may not have been acting alone, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry mentioning that authorities were “hunting down bad people.” Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick referred to Jabbar as a “terrorist.”
ISIS flag, weapons, and possible IEDs found at scene
The attack took place around 3:15 a.m. local time during New Year’s celebrations. Jabbar drove a white Ford F-150 electric pickup truck through barricades into a crowd at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets. The truck displayed a black ISIS flag. Afterward, Jabbar engaged in a gunfight with officers, leading to his death. Two officers were injured but are expected to recover.
Authorities discovered an Isis flag inside the vehicle along with weapons and a potential Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Additional IEDs were also found in the vicinity of the French Quarter. The FBI bomb technicians are currently working with law enforcement to determine if any of the devices were viable.
A city in shock: The aftermath of the attack
Police officials emphasised the deliberate nature of the attack. Superintendent Kirkpatrick said Jabbar was “hellbent on creating the carnage and damage,” driving the truck at “very high speed” and in a “very intentional” manner. Authorities also found three homemade pipe bombs, two of which were neutralized at the scene.
The FBI has classified the attack as an act of terrorism and is continuing its investigation into Jabbar’s possible affiliations with terrorist groups. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is reeling from the tragic loss of life in the heart of New Orleans’ most iconic district.
