By Ricardo Lezama 
American Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army veteran, drove a rented Ford F-150 truck displaying an ISIS flag into a crowd in New Orleans during New Year’s celebrations. He killed at least 10 people, injured over 35, and engaged in a shootout with police before being fatally shot. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in and around the truck. The FBI is treating this as an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack but the case has also a clear homegrown terror angle.
Bloomberg notes many of the local reactions from officials and FBI here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-01/10-people-killed-after-vehicle-drives-into-crowd-in-new-orleans?srnd=homepage-americas&sref
The FBI has identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen and military veteran, as the man behind a recent deadly attack in New Orleans. The Texas resident, who had served in the army, drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people before exiting his vehicle and opening fire. He was subsequently shot dead by law enforcement. The suspect was originally from North Carolina and registered as a Democrat. Inside his vehicle, investigators found an ISIS flag, hinting at extremist affiliations. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also discovered in the vicinity.
Law enforcement authorities, however, believe that Jabbar may not have carried out the attack alone. Jabbar had served on active duty and in the Army Reserve between 2007 and 2020, operating as a Human Resources and IT specialist. He had also been deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and left the service having achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Jabbar was known to have run-ins with the law, having been arrested previously for theft and possessing an invalid driver’s license. Before the attack, he had indicated his intention to move to New Orleans. His landlord in Houston confirmed this to reporters.
The deadly rampage on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street resulted in the death of 15 people, with dozens more injured. FBI agents and local law enforcement subsequently conducted an operation at Jabbar’s presumed residence in North Harris County, Texas. FBI investigators continue to delve into Jabbar’s background, amid indications that he may have been radicalized by ISIS. Evidence further suggesting his ties to the extremist group continues to emerge. His military background and extremist links are being thoroughly reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.