FBI Releases Photo of Suspect in New Orleans Terror Attack

The FBI in New Orleans has shared a new image of Shamsud-Din Jabbar cycling through the city’s French Quarter, captured in October, which suggests he may have been scouting the area ahead of a planned terror attack on New Year's Day. In that horrific incident, Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd celebrating in the streets, killing 14 individuals and injuring more than 30 others, before he was killed in a confrontation with the authorities.

The released photograph shows Jabbar wearing what could be Meta smart glasses, which investigators believe he used to capture and stream footage. Taken on Halloween, a day when many people are out celebrating, the image is part of the FBI's investigation into Jabbar’s activities leading up to the attack. They are appealing for anyone with information about Jabbar or who might have been in the French Quarter that day to reach out.

Jabbar, an Army veteran who transitioned to a successful career in consulting, reportedly traveled to Egypt for an extended 110-day trip earlier in 2023. He had also made multiple visits to New Orleans in the months leading up to the attack, during which he used Meta glasses to film segments on Bourbon Street. Investigators found that he had rented a Ford F-150 EV using the Turo app and had shared videos on Facebook expressing his loyalty to ISIS.

Prior to launching his attack on January 1, he had placed explosive devices disguised in coolers, although they failed to detonate. In the early hours of the day, he drove erratically around a police vehicle, targeting unsuspecting pedestrians, as shown in captured video footage. Law enforcement found an Islamic State flag in his truck alongside several mobile phones, highlighting the extent of his intentions.