The Tragic Transformation of a Military Veteran
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and former Army veteran, became the perpetrator of a deadly New Year’s attack in New Orleans. According to multiple officials involved in the investigation, Jabbar had made chilling recordings where he discussed plans to kill his family and join ISIS. These videos were posted on Facebook hours before the attack, revealing a disturbing shift in his mindset.
Jabbar, who was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, had served in the military for over a decade. His career included active duty from March 2007 to January 2015, with a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. After leaving active duty, he continued serving in the Army Reserve until July 2020. His background as a soldier and his education in computer science and information technology painted a picture of a disciplined individual. However, this image was shattered by the events that unfolded on New Year’s Day.
A Series of Disturbing Videos
In the hours leading up to the attack, Jabbar posted five videos on Facebook, which were later confirmed by the FBI. These videos contained references to his divorce and initial plans to gather his family for a “celebration” with the intention of killing them. However, he ultimately changed his plan, stating that he wanted the news headlines to focus on the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.” According to Christopher Raia, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Jabbar had joined ISIS before this summer.
The videos, which have not been reviewed by CNN, were posted on Jabbar’s Facebook page between 1:29 a.m. and 3:02 a.m. on the day of the attack. In addition to the videos, Jabbar planted two improvised explosive devices in the hours before the attack, which took place around 3:15 a.m. He was killed during a confrontation with police after driving a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 deaths and numerous injuries.
Family and Friends in Shock
Jabbar’s family and friends are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. His brother, Abdur Jabbar, described him as a kind and soft-spoken person who was very well-tempered and slow to anger. This description contrasts sharply with the violent actions he committed. Abdur expressed disbelief at the possibility that his brother could be responsible for such an attack, noting that they had maintained regular contact over the past year and a half.
Abdur also mentioned that their father, Rahim Jabbar, was equally shocked. They both emphasized that Jabbar had never shown any signs of radicalization or interest in extremist groups. Growing up, they attended a mosque regularly and were raised as Muslims, but Jabbar never spoke about ISIS or displayed any behaviors that would suggest a potential for violence.
A Life of Service and Struggles
Despite his military service and educational achievements, Jabbar faced personal and financial challenges. He had divorced twice, with the first divorce involving child support issues and the second resulting in a restraining order against him. Court documents revealed that these divorces were marked by conflicts and legal battles.
Jabbar also had several run-ins with the law, including a conviction for theft in 2002 and a DWI charge in 2015 while stationed at Fort Bragg. These incidents highlight a pattern of behavior that may have contributed to his eventual descent into violence.
Financial struggles further compounded his difficulties. In a 2022 email related to his divorce case, Jabbar expressed concerns about his mortgage payments and business debts. He mentioned that his real estate business, Blue Meadow Properties, had incurred significant losses, and he was burdened by credit card debt.
The Rental Truck and the Attack
Jabbar rented the Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck used in the attack through Turo, a car rental website. The truck’s owner confirmed to CNN that it was rented on Turo, and Jabbar picked it up on December 30 before traveling to New Orleans the following day. A neighbor in Houston, Mumtaz Bashir, described seeing Jabbar load the truck with light items and express plans to move to New Orleans for a new job. Bashir noted that Jabbar appeared to be a quiet and friendly individual without any visible signs of radicalization.
The rental site has also been linked to another incident in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside a Trump Hotel. While authorities are investigating whether this was a terrorist attack, Turo has stated that they do not believe the individuals involved had a criminal background that would have flagged them as security threats.
The Aftermath and Ongoing Investigations
As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies are reviewing the videos, phones, and laptops associated with Jabbar to understand how he transitioned from a military veteran to a terrorism suspect. The FBI has released Jabbar’s passport photo, and the agency is working closely with local and federal authorities to piece together the events leading up to the attack.
The community in New Orleans is reeling from the loss of life and the trauma of the event. The attack has sparked discussions about the need for better mental health support and early intervention for individuals at risk of radicalization. As the nation grapples with the implications of this tragedy, the story of Shamsud-Din Jabbar serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human behavior and the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to such acts of violence.
