New Orleans New Year’s Day Attacker Identified as U.S. Army Veteran Deployed to Afghanistan

NEW ORLEANS, LA — The man accused of perpetrating the devastating truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas. The incident, which occurred early Wednesday morning, resulted in at least 15 deaths and more than 30 injuries when Jabbar allegedly drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.

Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from 2007 until 2015, initially as a human resource specialist and later transitioning to an information technology specialist role. He was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, serving at a time when U.S. military involvement in the region was at its peak, according to army records. After his active duty, Jabbar continued his military career in the Army Reserve as an IT specialist until 2020, achieving the rank of staff sergeant at the end of his service.

The attack has been labeled as an act of terrorism by local and federal authorities, with an Islamic State flag found attached to the vehicle’s trailer hitch, suggesting possible affiliations with terrorist organizations. The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, stating they believe Jabbar may not have acted alone, prompting a search for potential accomplices.

The investigation revealed that before the attack, Jabbar had posted videos on social media expressing his intention to kill and his ISIS affiliations, which were reported to President Biden. This has raised questions about monitoring and preventing radicalization among military veterans.

The New Orleans Police Department and FBI are working together to ensure public safety, asking for the community’s help in providing any information that might lead to the identification of other potential suspects. The incident has not only shocked the local community but also sparked a national conversation about security, surveillance, and the mental health support for veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

As the investigation continues, officials are piecing together the events leading up to the attack, including Jabbar’s movements and associations in the days prior. The tragedy has left a mark on New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant culture and celebrations, now grappling with the aftermath of a terror attack on one of its most iconic streets.