Investigators have identified Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, as the suspect who intentionally rammed his car into revelers in New Orleans early on New Year’s Day.
Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, is accused of driving his pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m., killing at least 10 people and injuring 35 more.
Officials said the man died during a gunfight with police.
Live updates: FBI believes driver was not ‘solely responsible’ for New Orleans attack, IED found in car
Officials said the man drove around a parked police car to block pedestrians celebrating on Bourbon Street and drove onto the sidewalk, where a crowd of revelers were reveling. It is said that he ran into the
Witnesses witnessed horrifying and bloody scenes as people jumped out of the way or tried to hide in nearby bars.
“I could hear the trucks firing as more people poured in,” said Jimmy Cothran, a New Orleans resident who watched the carnage unfold from the balcony of a nightclub.
Preliminary information indicates that Jabbar had a black flag attached to the hitch of the pickup truck that crashed into the crowd. Authorities are investigating whether the flag has ties to the terrorist organization ISIS and whether he had any ties to the organization.
Federal and local officials say the incident is being investigated as both a terrorist attack and a crime scene.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a news conference: “We are huddled together. We will be relentless and will do whatever it takes to deliver true justice.”
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said Jabbar drove onto a sidewalk and maneuvered around “tough targets” including officers, fences and cars to carry out the attack.
The pickup truck authorities say the suspect drove into unsuspecting revelers appears to be a rented F-150 Lightning truck, according to photos from the aftermath of the incident.
Car-sharing marketplace Turo said the vehicle in the attack was rented from the company.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation, said weapons and possible improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in the suspect’s car and in the French Quarter.
Authorities are investigating at least two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that may have been planted near the crime scene to determine whether they are actual explosive devices and whether they are operational.
Investigators do not believe Mr Jabbar was “solely responsible” for the attack and are appealing for the public’s cooperation.
“We are actively pursuing all leads to identify this, any possible subjects, and persons of interest, and we are continuing to pursue all leads to identify this and any possible subjects and persons involved,” said Alecia Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field. We are working to ensure there is no threat.” the office told reporters.
Mr. Jabbar served on active duty in the Army from 2006 to 2015 and then in the Army Reserve from 2015 to 2020, according to three U.S. defense officials.
He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and served as an administrative clerk. When he was honorably discharged in 2020, he was a sergeant.
Separately, he tried to join the Navy in 2004, but never deployed or began training, a spokesperson said.
Jabbar was previously charged with misdemeanor theft in 2002 and with driving with an invalid license in 2005, according to Texas criminal records.
Jabbar has been married twice, his first marriage ending in 2012, according to civil records. A second divorce was filed in 2021.
A woman who asked to remain anonymous and identified herself as Jabbar’s sister-in-law said her relatives in Texas were shocked to hear the news.
“That doesn’t make sense,” she said. “He is the greatest person I have ever known.”
“I really don’t know what happened,” she added. “He was a good person. He takes care of the kids and everything.”
She said some of her family is heading to New Orleans from Texas.
Federal authorities and local New Orleans police are investigating whether Din Jabbar used a long rifle and fired into the crowd when he ran over someone, police said. Three police officials spoke to NBC News.
“In the wake of this horrific act of violence on Bourbon Street, please join us in praying for the victims, their families, and the first responders,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana. I mentioned it in my post to X. .
