Overview of the Attack
On New Year’s Eve, a devastating terrorist attack unfolded on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. A pickup truck, displaying an ISIS flag, plowed through a crowd of revelers, resulting in 14 fatalities and over 30 injuries. The attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas, was fatally shot by police after the rampage. The FBI Investigates Bourbon Street Terrorist classified the act as terrorism, citing Jabbar’s alignment with ISIS in social media videos.
Jabbar’s Background and Radicalization
Jabbar, an Army veteran who served from 2006 to 2020, had been honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. He held a degree in business administration from Georgia State University and worked for Deloitte since 2021. Despite his professional background, federal investigators believe Jabbar was radicalized online, leading to his deadly actions.
Investigative Developments
The FBI is scrutinizing Jabbar’s activities and travels:
- Key Travels: Jabbar visited Cairo, Egypt, in June 2023 and Ontario, Canada, in July 2023. He also traveled to New Orleans twice in late 2024.
- Social Media Evidence: Jabbar posted videos shortly before the attack, declaring allegiance to ISIS and detailing his violent intentions. Initially planning to harm family members, he shifted his focus to the French Quarter to draw attention to his extremist beliefs.
- Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): Jabbar placed two IEDs in coolers near the attack site, but they failed to detonate.
Ongoing Investigations
Federal agents are following leads in Houston, Atlanta, and Tampa to uncover any associates or connections to foreign actors. Though Jabbar appears to have acted alone, authorities continue to probe his communications and interactions.
Broader Implications and Security Measures
Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, highlighted the elevated domestic terrorism threat posed by lone actors radicalized online. The attack underscores the need for heightened vigilance and improved detection methods for identifying such threats.
Community Response and Recovery
New Orleans has begun its recovery, with Bourbon Street reopening shortly after the attack. Mayor LaToya Cantrell emphasized the city’s resilience and readiness to host major events like the Sugar Bowl and the upcoming Super Bowl.