In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack that left 14 people dead on Bourbon Street in New Orleans early Wednesday morning, new details are emerging about the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, and his life before the attack.
His brother, Abdur Rahman Jabbar, spoke to KPRC 2′s Joy Addison, providing insight into his half-sibling’s past, the shocking events that led to this tragedy, and the family’s reaction to the revelation of bomb-making materials found in Shamsud-Din’s home.
Abdur Rahman Jabbar expresses shock
Abdur Rahman Jabbar shared his disbelief when he learned that the FBI had found bomb-making materials inside his brother’s Houston home.
“It’s shocking,” he said. “I understand people want answers, but we’re just as puzzled as the rest of the world.”
The FBI’s discovery has added to the already devastating events of the attack, but Abdur’s comments reveal a deep sense of confusion and helplessness as the family tries to make sense of what happened.
A complex life before the tragedy
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, known as “Sham” to his family, grew up in Beaumont, Texas. He attended Central High School and spent his life practicing Islam.
Abdur explained that, while Sham had initially drifted from his religious practices in his early 20s, he later sought to turn his life around, moving away from partying and drinking.
In his past, Shamsud-Din faced legal troubles, including a misdemeanor theft charge. However, he went on to serve his country as a decorated U.S. Army veteran. Jabbar served in Afghanistan and, during his time stationed at Fort Bragg, was involved in an incident where he received a DUI.
Abdur also noted that his brother had been twice divorced, with his most recent divorce finalized in 2022. Shamsud-Din had three children—two teenagers and a 6-year-old. Despite their personal struggles, both Shamsud-Din and Abdur were committed to caring for their father, who had suffered a stroke in 2023.
Family’s reaction to the tragedy
The family, including their father, was left in disbelief upon hearing of Shamsud-Din’s involvement in the deadly attack. Abdur shared, “[Shamsud-Din’s father] couldn’t believe it. Just like the rest of us.”
Abdur’s thoughts are with the victims of the attack and their families.
“Our hearts and prayers and thoughts go out to those families, the victims of those families. Those who were there to witness it. It was a tragedy,” he said.
A desire to escape to Egypt or Morocco
In a revealing detail about his brother’s plans, Abdur mentioned that Shamsud-Din had expressed interest in leaving the U.S. He had visited Egypt for an extended period and told his family he was considering relocating there or possibly to Morocco, citing the lower cost of living in those countries.
Moving forward
The Jabbar family is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. While they continue to process the devastating news, Abdur has emphasized that their thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones.
