NEW ORLEANS – The FBI confirmed on Thursday that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans during New Year’s celebrations, acted alone. This statement marks a reversal from earlier responses indicating that he may have had accomplices in the attack, which was inspired by the Islamic State group.
In the hours leading up to the incident, Jabbar, a Texan citizen, posted five videos on social media declaring his allegiance to the militant organization and foreshadowing the violence he intended to commit in the French Quarter.
“This was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act,” said a senior FBI official, emphasizing that Jabbar was “100% inspired” by Islamic State ideology.
The tragic attack occurred on Bourbon Street, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals, including Jabbar, who was killed in a confrontation with police after crashing his truck into the crowd. Approximately 30 others sustained injuries.
This incident marks one of the deadliest IS-inspired assaults on American soil in recent years, highlighting the increasing threat of international terrorism. Amid growing concerns about security, authorities are preparing for potential policy changes following the upcoming presidential administration.
The FBI has ruled out any connection between the New Orleans attack and a separate incident involving an explosive-filled vehicle outside a Las Vegas hotel earlier this week.
While the investigation into Jabbar continues, officials have confirmed that he acted independently during the fatal assault, which claimed the lives of diverse individuals, including a promising nursing student and a former college athlete. Authorities also discovered plans for additional violence, including the placement of improvised explosive devices in the vicinity, though these were rendered safe before they could cause harm.
Investigators are currently working to establish Jabbar’s pathway to radicalization. He rented a truck in Houston on December 30, driving it to New Orleans for the New Year celebration. A black Islamic State flag was among the evidence recovered from the scene, along with significant video material revealing Jabbar’s troubling intentions.
Jabbar, who served in the U.S. Army from 2007 until 2020, reportedly traveled internationally in 2023, adding questions about his activities during those trips.
In the wake of the attack, residents are beginning to return to their routines. Authorities processed the crime scene, and by early afternoon, Bourbon Street, renowned for its lively atmosphere, reopened to the public.
The Sugar Bowl college football playoff, which had been postponed due to security concerns, proceeded as planned, while city officials reassured residents about their readiness to host large-scale events in the future.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed confidence in the city’s resilience, stating, “New Orleans is ready to continue to host large-scale events because we are built to host at every single turn.”
