A tragic event unfolded on Bourbon Street in New Orleans early Wednesday morning when a rented truck plowed into a large crowd gathered to celebrate the New Year. The driver, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar from Houston, Texas, caused devastating loss and chaos. At least 15 people lost their lives, and 35 others were injured in the attack.
According to police, Jabbar aimed to cause as much harm as possible. After driving into the crowd, he engaged in a shootout with New Orleans police officers and was ultimately killed. Two officers were injured in the exchange. A circulated photo showed Jabbar, dressed in camouflage, lying near the truck after he was stopped by law enforcement.
Georgia State University officials confirmed that Jabbar was one of their alumni. He attended the university between 2015 and 2017, graduating with a degree in Computer Information Systems. During his time at GSU, he lived in Georgia. The university, with seven campuses across metro Atlanta, serves over 50,000 students annually.
Court records reveal details about Jabbar’s life in Georgia. He was married in 2013 and later filed for divorce in 2016 while living in a Clarkston apartment complex. He also owned property on Horseshoe Creek Drive in Marietta, where neighbors reported he acted as a landlord.
Investigators believe Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, did not act alone. Law enforcement is asking for public assistance to uncover information about any accomplices. The FBI reported finding an Islamic State group flag in Jabbar’s truck, along with weapons and an improvised explosive device (IED). Additional explosives were discovered in the French Quarter.
Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2015, working as a Human Resource Specialist and Information Technology Specialist. He later joined the Army Reserve and served until 2020, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military service included a deployment to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.
Although Jabbar had no significant criminal history, records show minor charges from years ago, including misdemeanor theft and driving with a suspended license. He worked for The Middas Group and managed properties for Blue Meadow Properties. He was also a father and had been married twice.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation, emphasizing that Jabbar was a U.S.-born citizen with a long history of military service. Authorities continue to investigate and are urging anyone with information to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau.
This tragic incident has left a deep impact on the New Orleans community and raised concerns nationwide as investigators work tirelessly to uncover the full story behind the attack.
