As the death toll rises to 14 from the devastating New Year’s Day truck attack on Bourbon Street, new details emerge about the suspect, Shamsud Din Jabbar, including a now-removed YouTube video where he shared his background.
Jabbar, 42, who was killed in a shootout with police after driving into a crowded Bourbon Street celebration, shared details of his life in a now-removed YouTube video from 2020.
In the video, Jabbar stated he was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and served a decade in the U.S. military, working in human resources and IT.
After leaving the military, he transitioned to a career as a realtor in the Houston area, where he said he spent most of his adult life. The video was removed from YouTube shortly after the attack.
Authorities are now investigating Jabbar’s motivations and any possible affiliations with extremist groups. An Islamic State flag was found attached to the truck’s trailer hitch, and firearms, pipe bombs, and a remote detonation device were discovered inside the vehicle, raising concerns about the attack’s level of planning.
What happened?
The attack happened early on New Year’s Day on the crowded Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. Jabbar drove a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck through the crowd, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30 others.
Police engaged Jabbar in a gunfight after the truck came to a stop. Two officers were injured before Jabbar was fatally shot.
The FBI is treating the attack as a potential act of terrorism and is urging anyone with information about Jabbar or his activities in the 72 hours before the attack to come forward.
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