NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The driver of a pickup truck that authorities said sped through a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans spent time in the U.S. Army at North Carolina's Fort Liberty, according to officials.
At least 15 people were killed, and 30 others were injured in when the man drove a truck into a crowd gathered in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district early on New Year's Day, according to officials.
The suspect, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and U.S. Army veteran from Texas, attended classes at Campbell University's campus on Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, from 2012-2014, according to officials at the university. Jabbar did not receive a degree, according to university officials.
The FBI is investigating the attack in New Orleans as an act of terrorism and said it does not believe Jabbar acted alone.
Wednesday's attack unfolded on Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. Crowds also gathered in the city ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl that had been scheduled for later Wednesday at the nearby Superdome. The game was postponed until Thursday afternoon following the attack.
What happened?
Police said the driver steered around a police blockade and raced through a crowd along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers gathered to celebrate the new year. At least 15 people were killed and about 30 injured. Two police officers were wounded in a shootout with the suspect, officials said. They are listed in stable condition.
Authorities also found potential explosive devices in the French Quarter, the FBI said. Surveillance footage showed three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
What was the suspect's motive?
A flag representing the Islamic State group was found on the vehicle's trailer hitch, the FBI said. The bureau is trying to determine if Jabbar was associated with any terrorist organizations.
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said during a news conference that the agency does not believe Jabbar acted alone.
Jabbar enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2007, working in both human resources and information technology. He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, then transferred into the U.S. Army Reserve in 2015, the service said in a statement. Jabbar served until July 2020, leaving the military with the rank of staff sergeant.
Related article: U.S. Army veteran who killed 15 in New Orleans attack was inspired by Islamic State group
Court records show Jabbar faced a deteriorating financial situation in 2022 while separating from his then-wife. Jabbar said he was $27,000 behind on house payments, accumulated $16,000 in credit card debt and wanted to quickly finalize the divorce.
“I have exhausted all means of bringing the loan current other than a loan modification, leaving us no alternative but to sell the house or allow it to go into foreclosure,” he wrote in a January 2022 email to his now-ex-wife’s attorney.
At the time, court documents show he made about $10,000 a month doing business development and other work for the consulting firm Deloitte. In a statement, Deloitte said Jabbar had “served in a staff-level role” since being hired in 2021 and that the company was doing all it could to assist authorities.
What have authorities found in their investigation?
Guns and pipe bombs were found in the suspect's vehicle, according to the State police bulletin. The devices were concealed within coolers and wired for remote detonation with a remote control that also was found in the vehicle, the bulletin said.
Who was in the crowd?
Authorities said Bourbon Street was filled with revelers, toasting the start of 2025 when the attack happened. Crowds in New Orleans also ballooned in anticipation of the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Notre Dame. That game was postponed until Thursday.