New Developments in the New Orleans Truck Attack: What We Know About Radicalized Army Veteran Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar

In the early hours of January 1, 2025, New Orleans’ French Quarter was the scene of a devastating attack when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring over 35 individuals. The assailant, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, was killed in a subsequent shootout with police. As authorities dive deeper into Jabbar’s history, a complex portrait emerges of a man whose life transitioned from military service to radicalization.

Pedestrians almost getting run over by Shamsud Din Jabbar.

Pray for peace.

Love one another. 🙏https://t.co/aUzhGKi92j

— David Olivencia (@dolivencia) January 2, 2025

Military Service 

Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from March 2007 to July 2020, with his career divided into active duty and reserve service. During his active duty from March 2007 to January 2015, Jabbar worked as a Human Resource Specialist (42A) and later as an Information Technology (IT) Specialist (25B). He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, earning recognition for his service. After transitioning to the Army Reserve in January 2015, Jabbar continued to serve as an IT Specialist until his discharge in July 2020.

By the end of his military career, Jabbar had achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and received several commendations, including three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a campaign star, among other decorations. Interestingly, before joining the Army, Jabbar briefly enlisted in the Navy’s delayed entry program in August 2004 but was discharged a month later without attending boot camp. His military service reflects a blend of technical expertise and operational experience, marked by notable achievements and accolades.

Personal Struggles

Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar faced a series of personal struggles in his private life, particularly in recent years. Financial difficulties plagued him, especially during his second divorce in January 2022. Jabbar revealed that he was unable to keep up with his house payments, falling over $27,000 behind and facing foreclosure. His real estate business had suffered losses exceeding $28,000, and he accumulated $16,000 in credit card debt to pay for legal fees and set up a second residence.

Jabbar’s personal life was also marked by marital instability. His first marriage ended in divorce in 2012, and his second marriage was unraveling by early 2022, further exacerbating his financial troubles. Adding to these challenges were noticeable behavioral changes. After converting to Islam, Jabbar reportedly began acting erratically. According to his ex-wife’s new husband, Dwayne Marsh, Jabbar’s behavior had become increasingly strange in recent months, with reports of him cutting his hair in unusual ways and acting out of character. These changes led Jabbar’s ex-wife and her new husband to prevent his daughters, aged 15 and 20, from visiting him.

There were also troubling signs of potential mental health issues. Jabbar reportedly made videos while driving at night, talking about plans to gather his family under the guise of a celebration with the intention of harming them. He also spoke about dreams involving ISIS and expressed a desire to join the terrorist group. These struggles paint a picture of a man overwhelmed by financial pressures, family instability, and deteriorating mental health, ultimately leading up to the tragic events in New Orleans.

Path to Radicalization

Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar’s conversion to Islam and eventual path to radicalization appear to have occurred relatively recently. The exact timing of his conversion is unclear, but it is believed to have taken place after his military service. Initially, he was described as a “scholarly” and “quiet” individual by Imam Fahmee Al-Uqdah, who met Jabbar early last year when he came to Beaumont to care for his ill father. However, Jabbar’s behavior changed dramatically in the months leading up to the tragic attack.

Following his conversion, Jabbar began exhibiting erratic behavior. According to Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar’s ex-wife, Jabbar had been “acting out of character” in recent months. He was reportedly “cutting his hair all crazy” and behaving unusually. These changes prompted his ex-wife and her new husband to stop allowing his daughters, aged 15 and 20, to visit him.
In the lead-up to the attack, several alarming signs of Jabbar’s radicalization emerged. He reportedly made a series of videos while driving at night, in which he discussed plans to gather his family for a fake celebration with the intent to harm them. Jabbar also spoke openly about having dreams involving ISIS and expressed a desire to join the group. An ISIS flag was later found attached to the hitch of the pickup truck used in the attack, further linking his actions to radicalized ideologies.

In response to the attack, Jabbar’s family, through Imam Al-Uqdah, stated that “the tragic incident was driven by hatred and ignorance” and emphasized that Jabbar’s actions do not represent the religion of Islam. The broader Muslim community also condemned the attack and expressed deep sadness over the loss of life. Authorities continue to investigate the timeline and specifics of Jabbar’s radicalization to better understand how these events unfolded.

Living Conditions and Mental Health

Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s living conditions and mental health appeared to deteriorate significantly in the period leading up to the attack. His home was described as squalid and poorly maintained, with sheep and goats roaming freely on the property. The overall state of his residence was unkempt, reflecting a chaotic and unstable environment.

There were also numerous signs that Jabbar may have been struggling with mental health issues. According to Dwayne Marsh, Jabbar had been “acting out of character” in recent months, with erratic behavior such as cutting his hair in unusual ways. Jabbar reportedly made videos while driving at night, where he talked about gathering his family for a fake celebration with the intent to harm them. In these recordings, he also spoke about joining ISIS and described having dreams about the terrorist group.

Jabbar’s personal relationships were strained as well. He was in the midst of a second divorce, initiated in July 2020, and his erratic behavior caused his ex-wife and her new husband to stop allowing his daughters, aged 15 and 20, to visit him. These details paint a picture of a man grappling with severe personal, mental, and relational challenges, which may have contributed to the tragic events that followed.

Family members reported that he had been seeing psychologists for several years, suggesting a history of mental health issues.

Investigation and Broader Implications

The FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism and is investigating potential accomplices. Surveillance footage appears to show several individuals planting potential explosive devices in advance of the attack, leading authorities to believe Jabbar did not act alone. However, this has walked back a bit in recent hours. We must remember this is an ongoing investigation, and the narrative will change as more facts are discovered. The investigation has expanded to Texas, with searches conducted in Houston linked to Jabbar.

This attack has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures and the challenges in identifying individuals who may pose a threat due to radicalization, especially among military veterans. The postponement of the Sugar Bowl and heightened security for upcoming events like the Super Bowl in New Orleans underscore the broader implications for public safety.

Take Away Message

The New Orleans truck attack serves as a tragic reminder of the complexities surrounding radicalization and the importance of addressing mental health issues, particularly among veterans. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to uncover the full extent of Jabbar’s network and motivations to prevent future tragedies of this nature.