A devastating truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day has left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. The suspect behind the attack has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US military veteran from Texas.
According to the FBI, Jabbar served in the US military from 2007 to 2020, including a deployment to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He also graduated from Georgia State University in 2017 with a degree in computer information systems.
The FBI found an ISIL (ISIS) flag in the vehicle used in the attack, and investigators are working to determine if Jabbar had any ties to terrorist organizations. New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno described the suspect as being dressed in full military gear, and police have stated that his actions were intentional.
Jabbar’s background reveals a complex individual, with court records showing that he faced significant financial difficulties in 2022 during his divorce. Despite earning a substantial income of around $10,000 per month working with consulting firm Deloitte, Jabbar struggled with debt and mortgage payments.
Experts have raised concerns about the radicalization of US military veterans, with Colin Clarke from the Soufan Center noting that Jabbar’s age and military background are unusual characteristics for someone to be radicalized.
The investigation into the New Orleans truck attack is ongoing, with the FBI working to uncover the motivations behind Jabbar’s actions.
