42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, with an ISIS flag on his truck, bypassed improvised barriers and drove into the crowded French Quarter of New Orleans on New Year's, killing 15 people. According to officials, the attacker may have had accomplices. As a result of the attack, 35 people were injured, including two police officers. Police and political leaders vowed to catch all accomplices.
Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police after he rammed the crowd. In the vehicle, police found weapons and components of an explosive device. Two homemade explosive devices were also found and defused in the French Quarter.
Police believe the driver intentionally ran over people, trying to cause maximum damage. Meanwhile, according to police, about 400 officers were on duty in the French Quarter at the time of the incident, including several who set up an improvised barrier to prevent anyone from driving into the pedestrian zone.
The FBI initially said they did not consider the incident a terrorist attack, but a few hours later released a statement indicating a terrorism investigation. The agency also believes the attacker had accomplices.
"We do not believe Jabbar is solely responsible. We are actively working on all fronts, including his accomplices," the FBI stated, adding that investigators are considering "a range of suspects."
The TV channel CNN, citing officials familiar with the investigation, reported that the suspect recorded videos in which he mentioned dreams of joining ISIS and contemplated killing his family after a divorce.
According to public records, Jabbar worked in real estate in Houston. Pentagon representatives reported that Jabbar served in the army from March 2007 to January 2015, and then was in the army reserve from January 2015 to July 2020. He served in Afghanistan for about a year.
* Recognized as a terrorist organization.
Photo: Reuters