Shamsub Din Jabbar identified as suspect in New Orleans New Year attack

The suspect who allegedly drove into a joyous crowd at a New Year’s celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, has been identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar by the FBI.

Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen who lived in Texas, died at the scene of the attack, according to FBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Alethea Duncan at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. The FBI also revealed that Jabbar was an Army veteran who served as a Human Resource Specialist and Information Technology Specialist from March 2007 until January 2015. Following active duty, he served in the Army Reserves as an IT Specialist from January 2015 until July 2020. During his tenure, he deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010 and received various awards for his service.

Prior to his military service, Jabbar attempted to join the Navy in 2004 but was discharged before completing recruit training. He also had a minor criminal record, with charges of misdemeanor theft in 2002 and driving with an invalid license in 2005. Jabbar had an active voting registration in Texas and was previously registered as a Democrat in North Carolina in 2012.

The tragic incident in New Orleans is being investigated as an act of terrorism, similar to the devastating German Christmas market attack in December. The German incident, which resulted in five deaths and over 200 injuries, was carried out by a 50-year-old Saudi doctor believed to be a lone perpetrator, according to the Magdeburg Police Department.

Authorities are still piecing together the events leading up to the New Orleans attack and are looking into a home believed to be connected to Jabbar. The suspect allegedly drove around barricades and through a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street before opening fire on police officers and being killed by law enforcement.

The FBI and Texas Department of Corrections have been contacted for further information on Jabbar and the investigation into the tragic attack. As the community mourns the loss of those killed and injured, questions remain about the motives behind the senseless act of violence.