Uncovering Details Regarding the New Orleans Truck Assault Suspect: FBI Investigates Visits to Egypt, Canada, and Louisiana

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Information Gathered on New Orleans Truck Assault Accused Individual—FBI Investigates Visits to Egypt, Canada, Louisiana

Authorities have identified 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar as the suspected perpetrator responsible for the murder of at least 14 individuals in New Orleans early New Year's Day, following a vehicle crash into a crowd. This incident is being examined as a potential ISIS-inspired terror act, with investigators examining two prior visits to New Orleans and a trip to Egypt as part of their investigation, reportedly announced on Sunday.

Key Facts

Jabbar, who perished in the incident, was a native-born citizen of the United States from Texas and served in the Army, as confirmed by FBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Alethea Duncan at a press conference on Wednesday.

In a 2020 YouTube video, Jabbar supposedly declared that he was born in Beaumont, Texas, a city with a population of approximately 100,000, positioned around 80 miles east of Houston, and worked in real estate within the Houston region.

As per the FBI, Jabbar made various trips prior to the attack: He visited New Orleans in October and November, recording himself cycling on Bourbon Street during the initial visit, and he traveled to Egypt and Canada in mid-2023, an investigation currently underway, mentioned Special Agent-in-Charge Lyonel Myrthil.

An ISIS flag was discovered on the vehicle's trailer hitch, and the FBI revealed on Wednesday their efforts in determining Jabbar's possible connections and affiliations with terrorist organizations.

Jabbar posted videos on Facebook hours prior to the attack, indicating his claimed membership in ISIS before summer and hinting at his initial plan to target his family but desired media attention to emphasize a conflict between believers and nonbelievers, mentioned FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia.

Raia also stated that based on current analysis, Jabbar acted alone, contradicting their previous statement that they did not believe Jabbar was solely responsible for the attack.

Jabbar is reportedly married three times and has at least three children, according to the Associated Press: A man now married to one of his ex-wives—with whom he divorced in 2012—told The New York Times that Jabbar recently exhibited erratic behavior, leading his ex-wife to prevent his 15- and 20-year-old daughters from interacting with him.

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What Can We Learn About Jabbar's Military Service?

Jabbar served in the Army from 2007 to 2015, specializing in information technology and human resources, with deployment to Afghanistan for approximately a year in 2009, as reported by an anonymous Army representative to CNN. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 2020, leaving as a staff sergeant, according to CNN. Duncan revealed that Jabbar was discharged honorably. At the time of his 2012 divorce, he reportedly declared residency in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as mentioned in legal filings per the Times. In 2004, Jabbar allegedly enlisted in the Navy but was discharged after a month, according to the Times.

Where Did Jabbar Work?

Jabbar described himself as a real estate professional in a 2020 video seen by CNN and the Times. Texas Real Estate Commission records show that Jabbar's sales agent license expired last year. In a court document filed in relation to his second divorce in 2022, Jabbar disclosed he worked for accounting firm Deloitte at the time with an estimated annual income of $120,000, according to the Times. Deloitte confirmed that Jabbar began employment at the company in 2021.

Where Did Jabbar Attend School?

Jabbar graduated from Central High School in Beaumont, Texas, in 2001, as confirmed by his childhood friend Chris Pousson to the Times. In 2017, after concluding active-duty military service, he received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State University, as told by the school to CNN. Jabbar told the school's campus paper in 2015 that he found it challenging to readjust to civilian life, mentioning navigating bureaucracy to obtain G.I. Bill tuition benefits and referring to language as “military acronyms."

Has Jabbar Faced Any Financial or Legal Challenges?

Court filings suggested that Jabbar may have encountered financial difficulties. Records from his 2022 divorce allegedly mentioned overdue home payments, the danger of foreclosure, and credit card debt, as well as mentioning the loss of $28,000 from a business that Jabbar had started. Reportedly, more than a decade ago, his first wife filed a lawsuit against him for child support, but the case was dismissed in 2022. Jabbar's second ex-wife filed for divorce in 2020 and was granted a restraining order against him, as reported by NBC News. The case was ultimately dismissed, and the couple later divorced in 2022. Jabbar reportedly pleaded guilty to driving under the influence during his time at Fort Bragg in 2014, and a guilty plea was recorded in 2015. Additionally, the Times reported that Jabbar was charged with two crimes in 2002 and 2005, one for misdemeanor theft in Katy, Texas (near Houston), and another for driving with an invalid license.

The suspect's younger sibling Abdur Jabbar, speaking to the Times, expressed shock and disbelief at his brother's actions, describing him as a "sweetheart" and "really smart, caring" individual. Abdur mentioned that they were both raised as Christians, with the suspect later converting to Islam. Abdur clarified that his brother's actions do not represent Islam, attributing it to radicalization rather than religious beliefs.

Abdur's childhood friend Pousson, chatting with the Times, recalled Jabbar's academic prowess and lack of troublemaking tendencies. Pousson observed a recent surge in Jabbar's religious passion on Facebook but never perceived him as a threat to violence. Pousson also spoke with NBC News, referring to Jabbar as "Sham" and mentioning his quiet, reserved demeanor. Pousson appreciated Jabbar's religious posts, which were always positive and uplifting in nature.

Neighbor Mumtaz Bashir shared with CNN that Jabbar was a quiet individual who did not exhibit any unusual behavior. According to Bashir, Jabbar mentioned his plans to relocate to New Orleans for work the day before the attack, citing a noticeable presence of packed boxes in his truck.

As reported by New Orleans police, an individual rammed a hired Ford truck into a group of pedestrians on Bourbon Street at approximately 3:15 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people and injured countless others, as per Raia's statement. Upon the officers' arrival at the crash scene, the suspect discharged his weapon, striking two officers before being shot down in return. A cache of weapons and a potential improvised explosive device were discovered within the suspect's truck, along with additional explosive devices uncovered in New Orleans' French Quarter area.

FBI officers are leading the investigation into the incident, categorizing it as an act of terrorism. The FBI is collaborating with federal and local partners to unravel the mystery, with the suspect believed to not have acted alone.

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The FBI is investigating two prior visits to New Orleans by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspected perpetrator of the New Orleans terror attack, as part of their examination into the incident that resulted in the death of at least 14 individuals and was potentially inspired by ISIS.
The FBI is also looking into Jabbar's trip to Egypt in mid-2023, as he was the suspect behind the New Orleans truck ramming incident where an ISIS flag was found on the vehicle's trailer hitch.
In the aftermath of the New Orleans terror attack, where Shamsud-Din Jabbar rammed a truck into a crowd, his younger sibling Abdur Jabbar expressed shock and disbelief, stating that his brother's actions did not represent Islam but were a result of radicalization.