Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old from New Orleans, pledged allegiance to ISIS and left behind a chilling trail of extremism. His trailer home in North Houston was filled with bomb-making materials, a Quran open to a violent passage, and evidence of his chaotic life.
A Devastating Attack on Bourbon Street
On New Year’s Day, Jabbar rented a Ford F-150 Lightning and drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street at 3 a.m. The attack killed 14 people and injured dozens. Police confronted him in a shootout, where Jabbar lost his life. Federal investigators later confirmed it as an act of terrorism.
Evidence of Radicalization Found
In his home, authorities uncovered a workbench set up for assembling explosives. A Quran was found open to Verse 9:111, a passage extremists often use to justify violence. Investigators believe this text fueled his radicalization. Moreover, minutes before the attack, Jabbar posted disturbing videos online. In these videos, he declared allegiance to ISIS and threatened his own family.
Chaos Inside the Trailer
The FBI raid revealed a home in complete disarray. Furniture was overturned, cabinets were open, and bomb-making tools were visible. Despite the chaos, the house looked as though Jabbar had left in a hurry, with clothes and belongings scattered everywhere.
Signs of Extremism Amid Family Life
The trailer highlighted his descent into extremism. Chemical residues and materials for bomb-making were found throughout the property. A prayer rug and Islamic texts pointed to his radical beliefs. However, the presence of children’s toys and bunk beds reminded investigators of his role as a father to two daughters, aged 15 and 20.
🚨 WATCH: Tour of New Orleans Attacker Jabbar’s home
The NYP reporter says she “found a bomb-making station and a Quran open to a chilling passage about martyrdom”
Something’s off here. The attack happened literally YESTERDAY
How is this being allowed?
pic.twitter.com/vCwCrpf0b8— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 3, 2025
From Soldier to Extremist
Jabbar once served as an Army staff sergeant for ten years, including deployments to Afghanistan. However, after leaving the military in 2020, his life fell apart. He faced financial problems from two divorces, failed at real estate, and struggled in his IT career. Hours before the attack, he told neighbors he was leaving for a new IT job in New Orleans. But this was only a lie to mask his true intentions.
Family in Disbelief
Jabbar’s radicalization shocked his family. In his videos, he pledged loyalty to ISIS and issued threats against his loved ones. His younger brother, Abdur Jabbar, expressed disbelief, saying: “This is more some type of radicalization, not religion. He was a sweetheart really, a nice guy, a friend, really smart, caring.”
Jabbar’s transformation into an extremist ended in tragedy. His actions left families grieving, communities in fear, and countless questions about how such a descent could occur.
