Who Is Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the New Orleans Attack Suspect? Here Are 6 Key Facts.
Authorities have reported the discovery of an ISIS flag in connection with the truck attack that resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals on New Year’s Day.
FBI officials have identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar as the individual suspected of perpetrating the apparent terrorist attack in New Orleans, which has left at least 10 dead and 35 injured on New Year’s Day.
After the vehicle came to a halt, Jabbar exited the truck and opened fire on responding officers, as reported by the New Orleans police. Jabbar was pronounced dead at the scene.
Other Individuals Possibly Involved
During a news conference on Wednesday, Alethea Duncan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI, mentioned that Jabbar is not believed to be the only person involved in the attack.
“We do not believe Jabbar acted alone. We are diligently pursuing every lead, including those related to his known associates,” she said.
Duncan urged the public to reach out to the FBI with any information regarding the possible involvement of another suspect in the suspected terrorist attack.
“We need the public’s assistance. If anyone has interacted with Shamsud-Din Jabbar in the last 72 hours, please contact us,” she stated at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “The FBI is asking for help; anyone with any information, video, or images should share them with us.”
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Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies work the scene on Bourbon Street after at least ten people were killed when a person allegedly drove into the crowd in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2025.Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
An American Citizen
The FBI has stated that Jabbar was an American citizen from Texas, countering online speculations that he may have recently crossed into the United States from Mexico before executing the attack.
However, the FBI’s statement does not clarify whether Jabbar was a natural-born citizen or a naturalized one. There is also uncertainty surrounding whether he had spent a significant duration in another country.
“There may have been some identification indicating the suspect had a local residence, which is currently being verified,” he mentioned.
Carter noted that the vehicle used in the assault bore a Texas license plate, with video evidence confirming that the truck, identified as a Ford F-150, had been registered in Texas.
ISIS Flag Found
The FBI indicated that “an ISIS flag” was found inside the suspect’s vehicle. Later, officials confirmed at a press conference that the flag was attached to the truck.
Footage and images of the vehicle displayed a white pole mounted on its rear that appeared to bear a black flag. The ISIS flag is characteristically black with Arabic text on top and a white circle below containing Arabic writing.
“An ISIS flag was recovered from the vehicle, and the FBI is currently assessing the subject’s potential connections and affiliations with terrorist organizations,” the bureau stated.
During the Syrian Civil War, ISIS gained control over large areas of Syria and Iraq starting in the early 2010s before facing significant setbacks in the latter part of that decade. The group frequently released videos on social media showcasing brutal executions, including that of American journalist James Foley in 2014.
Police investigators surrounding the white Ford F-150 pickup truck that struck a work lift after allegedly careening into a crowd of New Year’s celebrators in the French Quarter of New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2025.MATTHEW HINTON/AFP via Getty Images
Rental Truck
The car-sharing platform Turo confirmed on Wednesday that the truck implicated in the incident was rented through their service, which operates as a peer-to-peer vehicle sharing platform.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our host’s vehicles was involved in this tragic event,” Turo spokesperson Steve Webb stated in a media release on Wednesday. “We are cooperating with the FBI in this investigation. As of now, we are unaware of any background circumstances regarding this guest that would have marked him as a safety threat at the time of reservation.”
“Unlike traditional rental car companies, Turo serves as a peer-to-peer platform where local car owners can rent their vehicles directly. Turo does not have any rental vehicles of its own—hosts share their personal vehicles and determine their own pricing, availability, and delivery options,” the company explains.
Improvised Explosive Devices Also Found
FBI officials disclosed that weapons and a potential improvised explosive device (IED) were located in the truck during the attack. However, further details regarding the nature of these weapons or IEDs were not specified in the statement.
“Other possible IEDs were discovered in the French Quarter,” the agency stated. “The FBI’s special agent bomb technicians are collaborating with law enforcement partners to assess the viability of these devices and to render them safe,” the statement indicated.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Duncan confirmed that two explosive devices had been neutralized.
She also reaffirmed the death toll of 10, despite a member of Congress suggesting that the number might have increased.
Investigated as a Terrorist Attack
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell classified the incident as a “terrorist attack” performed with intent.
“This individual aimed to harm as many people as possible,” stated New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick during a press conference on Wednesday. “This was not an accident; this is a severe and complicated case.”
The chief noted that the driver was “determined to cause the destruction and devastation that happened.”
The FBI’s initial statement concerning the event detailed: “Earlier today, an individual drove a vehicle into a gathering of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. The suspect subsequently engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI assumes the lead in the investigation and is collaborating with our partners to treat this as a terrorist act.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
