Shamsud-din Jabbar defended his years-long military experience and portrayed himself as a forceful negotiator in his real estate profession before he allegedly killed at least 15 people in a violent rampage down New Orleans Bourbon Street and posted recordings indicating his desire to carry out a fatal strike.
RELATED: A Houston man is suspected of carrying out a terrorism-related act in a deadly truck attack in New Orleans.
The 42-year-old man, who officials eventually identified as Jabbar, was shot and killed by police after he allegedly crashed a pickup truck into a crowd early on New Year’s Day. Growing up in Beaumont and living in a mobile home in northwest Houston, Jabbar had a relatively clean criminal record before to his death and built a number of now-defunct real estate companies.
Years ago, Jabbar praised his military service in a video that was uploaded to YouTube.
According to him, I gained an understanding of what excellent service entails, including being attentive, taking everything seriously, and making sure everything runs well.
Before Blue Meadow Properties was declared inactive in 2023, Jabbar claimed to have used those abilities in his real estate job there.
In the one-minute web video that introduced the real estate industry, he stated, “I think what really sets me apart from other agents is my ability to be able to be a fierce negotiator.”
Jabbar worked in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2015 as an IT professional and human resource specialist before going into real estate. After then, he was in the U.S. Army Reserve until 2020 as an IT expert. Jabbar served in Afghanistan from 2009 until 2010.
According to court documents, Jabbar’s financial condition reportedly deteriorated in 2022 while he was divorcing his wife. While working for Deloitte, he earned about $10,000 doing business development work. According to the AP, he accrued credit card debt and asked for quick action to complete the divorce.
Jabbar, who was 20 at the time, was arrested and charged with theft in Harris County in 2002; however, the specifics of the incident are not disclosed in court documents.
Just hours after officials recognized Jabbar, the allegedly unprecedented attack on Bourbon Street set off a wave of false information regarding his citizenship. The attack was utilized by US officials, self-declared citizen journalists of X, and president-elect Donald Trump to demand stricter border laws.
Records, however, indicate that Jabbar was born in Texas. Records show that members of his family live in Beaumont and Fort Bend counties. A person described as Jabbar’s ex-wife was contacted by Houston Public Media, but she declined to speak.
Investigators searched Jabbar’s Houston house and the French Quarter on Wednesday. Jabbar allegedly used a pick-up truck with an Islamic State flag attached. The car, which Jabbar had booked through the Turo app, was also said to have an explosive device. In front of reporters in New Orleans on Thursday, Christopher Raia, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism branch, declared that the man’s attack was unquestionably an act of terrorism.
After initially speculating that there might be additional suspects in the crime, law enforcement officials concluded on Thursday that Jabbar allegedly carried out the act alone.
Investigators now think that on December 30, Jabbar picked up a rental F-150 in Houston, Texas, according to Raia. On the night of the 31st, he drove from Houston to New Orleans and uploaded multiple films to an internet site announcing his allegiance for ISIS.
Just minutes before the incident, Jabbar uploaded five videos to his Facebook page between 1:29 and 3:02 in the morning. He allegedly claimed in the first video that he intended to hurt his friends and family but was concerned about making headlines and starting a conflict between Christians and unbelievers.
According to Raia, Jabbar claimed to have joined ISIS before to the summer of 2024.
Officials declared on Thursday that there was no threat to the neighborhood after bomb specialists, counterterrorism detectives, and law enforcement carried out a search order.
RELATED: The FBI labels the truck attack suspect a lone actor after law enforcement concludes their search at his Houston home
-
A raided house with a battered front door where Shamsud Din Jabbar lived before the truck attack. Taken on Jan. 2, 2025. (Photo Credit: Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media)
-
Inside of Jabbar’s home as seen on Jan. 2, 2025 (Photo Credit: Lucio Vasquez)
-
A north Houston mobile home matching the address of Jabbar on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo Credit: Sarah Grunau)
-
A Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy speaks with reporters outside of the Houston home Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025. (Photo Credit: Rob Salinas)
Regular contacts with Jabbar did not express any worries about his conduct; instead, they focused on how his actions would affect the predominantly Muslim neighborhood around the property.
Jabbar’s neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed to have witnessed Jabbar packing things into the white pickup truck that was purportedly used to conduct the assault.
“Unfortunately, after what happened, we don’t feel comfortable,” he stated. How members of our religion will be perceived by others.
The man said outside his house on Thursday that Jabbar was peaceful, calm, trouble-free, and did not listen to loud music. We’re not having any issues.
According to one neighbor, Jabbar is a typical individual. Another neighbor, who could not recognize a picture of Jabbar right away, said he is now more concerned about the incident and the heightened police presence.
From the driver’s seat of his vehicle on Wednesday, Faisal Siddiqui told reporters, “I just heard about this and I am scared because I have kids at my home.” “I am scared now because I think we are not safe.”
This report was aided by Lucio Vasquez.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
