New Orleans truck attack suspect identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar
NBCJan 05
New Orleans Terror Attack: Death Toll Hits 15, Suspect an Army Veteran
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Above: Police investigators surround the white Ford F-150 pickup truck that crashed into a work lift after allegedly driving into a crowd of New Year's revelers in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 1, 2025. Image copyright: MATTHEW HINTON/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas resident and former US Army veteran, has been identified as a suspect who intentionally rammed a pickup truck into New Year's Day crowds on Bourbon Street in New Orleans at 3:15 am on Wednesday.
After crashing the vehicle, body armor-wearing Jabbar opened fire on responding police officers with a rifle equipped with a suppressor before he was killed in the ensuing gunfight. The alleged Islamic State (IS)-inspired attack killed 15 and injured 35 others, including two officers.
The FBI recovered an IS flag from the truck and found multiple improvised explosive devices in the French Quarter, two of which were safely neutralized by bomb squads. The FBI believes Jabbar acted alone.
The Spin
Narrative B
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in domestic security and the need for better protection of soft targets, particularly during major public events. The suspect's military background and access to weapons raise concerns about radicalization within veteran communities.
Republican narrative
The shockingly violent attack in New Orleans is a result of weak and ineffective leadership and the US' wide-open borders. Trump's warnings of undocumented immigrants — refuted by Democrats — have turned out to be true.
Democratic narrative
Local law enforcement's brave and swift response prevented even greater death and injury. Violence, terrorism, and any threats to human life have no place in the US. Those responsible for this terrible act will be brought to justice.
