2 days ago
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an ISIS-inspired ex-US Army veteran, killed 15 in a New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans. His brother blamed radicalization, emphasizing it was unrelated to Islam's teachings.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Army soldier, was deeply influenced by ISIS. (Picture source: FBI)
UPDATED: Jan 3, 2025 00:42 IST
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Army veteran who was heavily inspired by ISIS, unleashed terror on New Year's Day in New Orleans after ramming his truck into revellers, killing 15 people.
His brother has blamed "radicalization" for Jabbar's action and stressed the attack does not represent Islam.
Abdur Jabbar, 24, told The New York Times that his brother had converted to Islam at a young age.
He said that radicalization was the driving force behind the deadly rampage.
Abdur described Shamsud-Din as "a sweetheart," calling him "a nice guy, a friend, really smart, and caring."
He emphasized that he had always been a beloved member of the family.
"This is more some type of radicalization, not religion," Abdur said, distancing his brother's actions from the peaceful teachings of Islam.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, used a rented Ford F-150 pickup truck adorned with an ISIS flag while carrying out the terror attack. He ws later killed in a shootout with police.
In videos posted on his Facebook account before the attack, Jabbar was seen pledging his allegiance to the ISIS group.
Law enforcement officials said that the videos may have been recorded while he was driving from his home in Houston, Texas, to Louisiana. One video also revealed that Jabbar had contemplated murdering his family.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of accomplices either. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar did not act alone and is actively investigating potential associates. Federal agents also discovered weapons and a possible explosive device in Jabbar's truck and the French Quarter, further deepening suspicions about the terrorist nature of the attack.
Jabbar’s military background is notable—he served in the US Army for 13 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He also briefly served in the Army Reserve after leaving active duty. Despite his military service, which included a time in the 82nd Airborne Division, he reportedly faced financial ruin and personal struggles in recent years, eventually ending up in a squalid trailer park in Houston.
Prior to the attack, Jabbar had ventured into business, including a real estate career. In a 2020 promotional video for a Texas real estate firm, he talked about his military experience, stressing the importance of service and negotiation skills.
As investigations continue, the motivations behind Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s violent actions remain unclear.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Jan 3, 2025
