New Evidence Shows Islamic State Supporter’s Path to Fatal Attack
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released disturbing surveillance footage capturing the final movements of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the 42-year-old suspect in the deadly New Orleans attack that claimed 15 lives and injured 30 others.
Timeline of terror
According to FBI documentation, CCTV footage shows Jabbar walking along Dauphine Street at 2:03 am local time, wearing what would become a crucial piece of evidence: a light brown coat, blue jeans, brown dress shoes, and a dark button-down shirt. Within an hour, he would execute an attack that has stunned the nation.
The investigation revealed a methodically planned assault. Before the deadly vehicle attack, Jabbar placed two coolers containing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans Streets. The suspect’s final moments ended in a fatal exchange of gunfire with law enforcement after he drove his truck, adorned with an Islamic State flag, through a security barricade and into a crowd of civilians.
Digital trail of violence
Hours before the attack, Jabbar left a digital footprint that would later serve as evidence of premeditation. The FBI reported that he posted five videos on Facebook previewing his intended violence and declaring allegiance to the Islamic State, claiming he had joined the militant group in mid-2023.
Family’s shock
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Abdur-Rahim Jabbar, the suspect’s younger brother, in an interview with AP. He described his brother’s recent isolation but expressed disbelief, stating he had seen no signs of radicalization during their interactions.
Broader security context
The attack comes amid heightened concerns about international terrorism. FBI Director Christopher Wray, who has announced his upcoming departure at the end of the Biden administration, recently noted, “I’m hard-pressed to think of a time in my career where so many different kinds of threats are all elevated at once.”
The SITE Intelligence Group reported that Islamic State supporters celebrated the attack in online forums, with one message reading, “If it’s a brother, he’s a legend. Allahu Akbar.”
The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full scope of the attack and any potential broader connections to international terrorist networks.
