FBI reports or official statements

Bourbon Street Attack Kills 14; Suspect Used Rare Explosives, Acted Alone

Jan 5, 2025, 06:00 AM

The FBI has identified Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, as the perpetrator of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, during New Year’s celebrations. The attack, which occurred early on January 1, 2025, killed 14 people and injured 35 others. Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd of revelers and was shot dead by police during a subsequent firefight. Investigators revealed that Jabbar had planted two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers on the street, which failed to detonate. The devices contained an extremely rare explosive compound never before seen in U.S. or European terror attacks. Jabbar, who had served in the Army from 2007 to 2020 and deployed to Afghanistan, had posted five videos pledging allegiance to ISIS shortly before the attack. An ISIS flag was also found in his vehicle. Surveillance footage captured Jabbar placing the coolers, and his rented Airbnb in New Orleans caught fire shortly after the attack. Authorities found an AR-15 weapon in his truck and searched his Houston residence, uncovering additional bomb-making materials. The FBI has stated that Jabbar acted alone and continues to investigate his radicalization and acquisition of the rare explosive material. Authorities are also examining his travel history, including a trip to Egypt in 2023, for potential links to his radicalization.