In a shocking act of violence, 14 victims lost their lives, and over 30 others sustained injuries in a premeditated attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day. The assault occurred shortly after 3 a.m. as revelers celebrated the start of the new year. Authorities have identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran and U.S.-born citizen from Texas, as the sole perpetrator of the tragedy, which the FBI has classified as an act of terrorism.
Jabbar's motivations were linked to his inspiration from the Islamic State militant group, known as ISIS. The FBI's investigation revealed that Jabbar had made at least two trips to New Orleans prior to the attack, as well as visits to various locations across the United States and abroad, including Egypt and Canada. This raises questions about the connections between his travels and the deadly incident.
The attacks began with Jabbar allegedly starting a fire at his rental home at approximately 5 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the New Orleans Fire Department discovered explosive devices at the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicated that Jabbar was alone in the residence during the time leading up to the attack. His actions suggest that he intended to create chaos in the city.
Jabbar's rental vehicle, a white pickup truck, was later spotted in Gonzales, Louisiana, about 60 miles northwest of the French Quarter. Law enforcement recovered two explosive devices hidden in coolers near the attack site, indicating that the death toll could have been much higher.
"The individual, based on investigation, does not know Jabbar. This was a chance encounter," – Joshua Jackson
The explosive devices used by Jabbar were described as "not unique," according to authorities. Joshua Jackson from the ATF stated that while Jabbar utilized explosive material better suited for a detonator, he lacked access to one and instead used an electric match to detonate the explosives. Jackson emphasized that Jabbar's inexperience and the crude construction of the device contributed to its malfunction.
"Detonators are not easily accessible by the common citizen, so usually homemade bombs are made with explosive material that is set off by a flame," – Joshua Jackson
The investigation revealed that Jabbar had obtained a rifle on November 19 in Arlington, Texas, during a private sale. This acquisition raises further concerns about how he planned his attack and whether there were additional resources at his disposal.
Inquiries into Jabbar's previous trips to New Orleans in October and November are ongoing. Authorities are scrutinizing whether these travels influenced his decision to carry out the attack and if they were part of a larger plan.
"His hope was to burn the entire house down and hide evidence of his crimes," – Joshua Jackson
The ATF's examinations found that explosives used in the attack tested positive for RDX, a well-known explosive material. Jackson noted that R-Salt, a substance similar in appearance and chemical makeup to RDX, is commonly available in the United States.
"R-Salt is very similar in look, texture, and chemical makeup as RDX (explosive material), which is readily common and available in the United States," – Joshua Jackson
Despite the chaos of that night, preliminary investigations suggest that there was no prior knowledge among potential victims regarding Jabbar's intentions. According to Jackson, "There's no way this individual knew that Jabbar was radicalized or had any sort of awareness that this attack was imminent."
As investigations continue into Jabbar's background and motivations, authorities remain vigilant about potential threats in other locations associated with his travels. The tragedy on New Year's Day serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by radicalization and premeditated violence.
Leave a Reply