42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar is the suspect in a deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 more.
The now deceased suspect, who was dressed in military gear, intentionally rammed a rented pickup into revelers around 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street, per ABC News.
Federal investigators were able to identified the suspect through an New Orleans Airbnb, which was tied to the suspect and his Texas residence, leading to authorities to his Houston’s home.
What We Know About the Suspect?
Jabbar is a U.S. Army veteran from Beamount, Texas. He served in the US military from 2007 to 2020, including five years in the reserves. He also deployed to Afghanistan for almost a year (February 2009 to January 2010).
He previously lived in North Carolina and Georgia. Jabbar received an associate degree from Central Texas College in 2010, followed by a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University in 2017.
Jabbar worked a six-figure job at Deloitte, and he also worked in real estate in Houston.
He’s twice divorced and has two children, aged 15 and 20, with ex-wife Nakedra Charrlle, who had previously sued him over child support. Jabbar was abusive, his second wife, Shaneen Chantil Jabbar, said in an interview with TMZ. She filed a restraining order against him in 2020 during their divorce case. The order forbids Jabbar from sending threatening or obscene messages to her or causing “bodily injury” to her and to their mutual, son.
Financial turmoil marked his life in his latter years. He owed $27,000, which included court fees, expenses for a second home, ordered to pay over $3,000 per month in child support for his 3 children, and over $16,000 in credit card debt as a result of paying legal fees. He also experienced a $28,000 loss in his real estate business. He also incurred child support debt.
Jabbar’s personal life took a dramatic turn, and he was living in a dilapidated trailer park in Houston, Texas, near a mosque.
Photograph image of the suspect’s home in Texas, law enforcement armored after the deadly attack; Photo Credit: Jennie Taer
According to the FBI, Jabbar is possibly linked to ISIS, as an ISIS flag was found on the truck he used in the attack. Authorities believe he may not have acted alone. The New Orleans police reviewed a surveillance video that appears to show several people planting potential explosive devices in advance of the attack. The FBI is working to determine whether Jabbar had any affiliation with terrorist organizations.
Authorities are also looking into any possible connection with the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday. The Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled on New Year in New Orleans, was postponed in the aftermath of the attack.
