NeW Orleans, Lousiana. — The man accused of carrying out the deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, presents a complex and puzzling profile of a man who led a seemingly ordinary life before allegedly committing a heinous act of violence.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, appeared to be a respectable real estate agent with a background as an IT specialist in the U.S. Army. However, the events of Dec. 31 have thrust him into the spotlight as a suspected perpetrator of one of the most devastating attacks in recent memory.
In a YouTube video posted four years ago, Jabbar, speaking with a southern U.S. accent, touted his skills as a “fierce negotiator” while promoting his property management services. The video offers a glimpse into a man who, on the surface, seemed to be focused on his career and providing for his clients.
Jabbar’s criminal history, as reported by the New York Times, includes two minor offences: a 2002 theft charge and a 2005 conviction for driving with an invalid license. These offenses, while not indicative of the violence he is now accused of, suggest that Jabbar had faced legal troubles in the past.
Personal struggles also appear to have plagued Jabbar in recent years. According to the Times, Jabbar was twice-married, with his second marriage ending in divorce in 2022. In an email to his wife’s lawyer, Jabbar detailed his financial difficulties, writing, “I cannot afford the house payment.” He reported that his real estate company had lost more than $28,000 in the previous year and that he had accumulated thousands in credit card debt to pay for legal fees.
Despite these challenges, Jabbar seemed to maintain a facade of professionalism. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that he had earned a degree from Georgia State University, and in his YouTube video, he proudly mentioned his decade-long service in the U.S. military as a human resources and IT specialist.
“I learned the meaning of great service and what it means to be responsive and take everything seriously, dotting I’s and crossing T’s to make sure that things go off without a hitch,” Jabbar said in the video.
The FBI confirmed at a news conference that Jabbar was a U.S. Army veteran, though they did not provide details about his specific role in the military. The agency said it believed he had been honorably discharged but noted that the investigation into his military service was ongoing.
The attack in New Orleans, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, left at least 15 people dead and more than 30 wounded. According to authorities, Jabbar drove a truck at high speed into a crowd of revellers, crashed the vehicle, and then opened fire. He was subsequently killed in a shootout with police.
As the community of New Orleans grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, questions remain about what motivated Jabbar to carry out such a violent act. The contrast between his seemingly stable life and the brutality of the attack has left many searching for answers.
The FBI and local law enforcement are continuing their investigation into Jabbar’s motives and any potential connections to broader criminal or terrorist networks. For now, the nation is left to mourn the victims and try to understand the complexities of the man behind the attack.