New Orleans truck attacker acted alone but was 'inspired by' Islamic State group, FBI says
The driver behind a deadly truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Eve, US army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, likely acted alone after being inspired by the Islamic State group, the FBI said Thursday, adding that so far there was no "definitive link" with a cyber truck explosion in Las Vegas the same day.
Issued on: 02/01/2025 -
FRANCE24
By: NEWS WIRES
Video by: Wassim CORNET
01:51
A police officer patrols the French Quarter in New Orleans on January 2, 2025. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP
A US army veteran motivated by loyalty to the jihadist Islamic State group likely acted alone when he killed and injured dozens in a truck attack against a New Orleans crowd of New Year revelers, the FBI said Thursday.
Despite initial concerns that Shamsud-Din Jabbar had accomplices still on the run, preliminary investigations show he likely was alone, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia said.
"We do not assess at this point that anyone else was involved," Raia said.
However, new evidence emerged detailing the extent of the US citizen's loyalty to the Islamic State group and his plans to cause mayhem in the attack, which killed 14 and injured more than 30 in the French Quarter district, ending only after he was shot by police.
"He was 100 percent inspired by ISIS," Raia said, using an alternative name for the international jihadist group.
Just before the attack, in which 42-year-old Jabbar slammed a rented Ford F-150 pickup into the crowd, he "posted several videos to an online platform proclaiming his support for ISIS," Raia said.
He also carried a black ISIS flag on the back of the vehicle.
In one video, Jabbar "explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the 'war between the believers and the disbelievers.'"
Vegas incident likely separate
Cleanup on Bourbon Street
Trump rant
The terrifying incident came three weeks before Trump takes over as president.
The Republican has used the mayhem to push his anti-immigrant agenda, despite the slain killer being a US-born citizen.
Overnight, Trump again took to social media to link the attack to "OPEN BORDERS."
In a lengthy rant, he berated law enforcement bodies for "attacking their political opponent, ME, rather than focusing on protecting Americans from the outside and inside violent SCUM."
Claiming "the USA is breaking down," Trump said, without giving details: "the CIA must get involved."
Radicalization
A US army veteran motivated by loyalty to the jihadist Islamic State group likely acted alone when he killed and injured dozens in a truck attack against a New Orleans crowd of New Year revelers, the FBI said Thursday.
Despite initial concerns that Shamsud-Din Jabbar had accomplices still on the run, preliminary investigations show he likely was alone, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia said.
"We do not assess at this point that anyone else was involved," Raia said.
However, new evidence emerged detailing the extent of the US citizen's loyalty to the Islamic State group and his plans to cause mayhem in the attack, which killed 14 and injured more than 30 in the French Quarter district, ending only after he was shot by police.
"He was 100 percent inspired by ISIS," Raia said, using an alternative name for the international jihadist group.
Just before the attack, in which 42-year-old Jabbar slammed a rented Ford F-150 pickup into the crowd, he "posted several videos to an online platform proclaiming his support for ISIS," Raia said.
He also carried a black ISIS flag on the back of the vehicle.
In one video, Jabbar "explains he originally planned to harm his family and friends, but was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the 'war between the believers and the disbelievers.'"
Members of the National Guard walk through the French Quarter in New Orleans after the truck attack. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP
Raia said that Jabbar had planted two homemade bombs in drinks coolers in French Quarter streets. The bombs were viable but were made safe in time, he said.
Raia clarified that the total death toll of 15 from Wednesday's carnage included 14 victims and Jabbar himself, who died after wounding two police officers in an exchange of gunfire.
Raia said that Jabbar had planted two homemade bombs in drinks coolers in French Quarter streets. The bombs were viable but were made safe in time, he said.
Raia clarified that the total death toll of 15 from Wednesday's carnage included 14 victims and Jabbar himself, who died after wounding two police officers in an exchange of gunfire.
Vegas incident likely separate
A Tesla Cybertruck is shown after it caught fire and exploded outside the lobby of President-elect Donald Trump's hotel in Las Vegas. © Wade Vandervort, AFP
The New Orleans attack coincided with a high-profile incident in Las Vegas a few hours later where a Tesla Cybertruck blew up outside a hotel owned by US President-elect Donald Trump.
One person was killed and seven were injured in the incident. It remains unclear whether it was accidental or deliberate.
US media quoted law enforcement sources as saying the person who rented the Telsa truck was a current US Army special forces member.
In another echo of the New Orleans incident, the vehicles in both cases had been rented through the car-sharing app Turo.
Raia said: "At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas."
The New Orleans attack coincided with a high-profile incident in Las Vegas a few hours later where a Tesla Cybertruck blew up outside a hotel owned by US President-elect Donald Trump.
One person was killed and seven were injured in the incident. It remains unclear whether it was accidental or deliberate.
US media quoted law enforcement sources as saying the person who rented the Telsa truck was a current US Army special forces member.
In another echo of the New Orleans incident, the vehicles in both cases had been rented through the car-sharing app Turo.
Raia said: "At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas."
Cleanup on Bourbon Street
A city worker cleans in New Orleans after the New Year's truck attack. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP
In New Orleans' French Quarter, cleaners continued to clear the debris. Bourbon Street, at the heart of the area's famous nightlife and jazz establishments, remained closed to the public.
After a 24-hour delay due to the violence, the city was gearing up to stage the major Sugar Bowl college football game in the Superdome later Thursday. The stadium will also host the NFL's Super Bowl championship game in February.
"We believe we can absolutely provide a safe and wonderful environment today, and hold the Super Bowl and all of our activities," New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.
In New Orleans' French Quarter, cleaners continued to clear the debris. Bourbon Street, at the heart of the area's famous nightlife and jazz establishments, remained closed to the public.
After a 24-hour delay due to the violence, the city was gearing up to stage the major Sugar Bowl college football game in the Superdome later Thursday. The stadium will also host the NFL's Super Bowl championship game in February.
"We believe we can absolutely provide a safe and wonderful environment today, and hold the Super Bowl and all of our activities," New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.
Trump rant
The terrifying incident came three weeks before Trump takes over as president.
The Republican has used the mayhem to push his anti-immigrant agenda, despite the slain killer being a US-born citizen.
Overnight, Trump again took to social media to link the attack to "OPEN BORDERS."
In a lengthy rant, he berated law enforcement bodies for "attacking their political opponent, ME, rather than focusing on protecting Americans from the outside and inside violent SCUM."
Claiming "the USA is breaking down," Trump said, without giving details: "the CIA must get involved."
Radicalization
An FBI handout shows a passport photo of deceased New Orleans attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar. © Handout from the FBI via AFP
Police say Jabbar drove at high speed into the crowd, intent on causing maximum casualties.
"There were bodies and blood and all the trash," bystander Zion Parsons told CNN. "People were terrified, running, screaming."
"It was just scary, I cried my eyes out, honestly," tourist Ethan Ayersman, 20, told AFP.
The Pentagon said Jabbar served in the Army as a human resources specialist and an IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and then in the army reserve until 2020.
Police say Jabbar drove at high speed into the crowd, intent on causing maximum casualties.
"There were bodies and blood and all the trash," bystander Zion Parsons told CNN. "People were terrified, running, screaming."
"It was just scary, I cried my eyes out, honestly," tourist Ethan Ayersman, 20, told AFP.
The Pentagon said Jabbar served in the Army as a human resources specialist and an IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and then in the army reserve until 2020.
Map showing the location of the New Orleans truck attack. © John Saeki, AFP
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 until January 2010, an army spokesperson said.
Raia said the growing focus now is on how Jabbar became radicalized.
"That's the stuff in the coming days, as far as that path to radicalization, that we're really going to be digging into and making a priority of," he said.
(AFP)
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 until January 2010, an army spokesperson said.
Raia said the growing focus now is on how Jabbar became radicalized.
"That's the stuff in the coming days, as far as that path to radicalization, that we're really going to be digging into and making a priority of," he said.
(AFP)
US army veteran, IT specialist: What we know about the New Orleans truck attack suspect
The New Orleans truck attack suspect, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old US citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was an army veteran who served as an IT specialist before earning a bachelor's degree in computer systems. He was twice-married and experienced financial difficulties, according to divorce papers.
Issued on: 02/01/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Douglas HERBERT
Hours after a truck ploughed into a crowd of New Year’s Day revellers in New Orleans, killing 15 people, the FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas.
Details have begun to emerge of Jabbar’s life and are being closely examined by investigators seeking clues for a motive behind the attack. The FBI said it was working to determine if Jabbar had any potential associations with terrorist organisations.
US President Joe Biden told reporters that, hours before the attack, Jabbar shared videos online that indicated he was "inspired by ISIS", referring to the Islamic State (IS) group.
In the videos, Jabbar discussed plans to kill his family and dreams that inspired him to join the Islamic State group, according to CNN.
A black flag linked to the group was also found in the vehicle used in the attack, the FBI said.
US army service, struggles to acclimate to civilian life
In a video posted on YouTube four years ago, Jabbar – speaking with a southern US accent – boasted of his skills as a "fierce negotiator" as he advertised his property management services to potential clients.
The Pentagon said Jabbar had served in the army as a human resource specialist and an IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and then in the army reserve until 2020.
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 until January 2010, an army spokesperson said, adding that he held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the end of his service. Earlier the FBI had said it believed he was honorably discharged.
Jabbar enrolled in Georgia State University in 2015 and received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 2017, according to the New York Times.
In a 2015 article in the Georgia State student paper about the challenges of college life, Jabbar said he had struggled to acclimate to civilian life after leaving the military.
He also appears to have worked in real estate, holding a licence that expired in 2021. He had a criminal record, relating to traffic offences and theft.
Criminal records reported by US news organisations show that Jabbar had two previous charges for minor offences – one in 2002 for theft and another in 2005 for driving with an invalid license.
Divorces and financial difficulties
Jabbar was twice-married, according to US news reports, with his second marriage ending in divorce in 2022, when he detailed experiencing financial problems in an email to his wife's lawyer.
"I cannot afford the house payment," he reportedly wrote, adding that his real estate company had lost more than $28,000 in the previous year, and that he had taken on thousands in credit card debt to pay for lawyers.
In a neighbourhood in north Houston, a neighbour of Jabbar’s ex-wife told The Washington Post that FBI agents had been to her home earlier in the day. Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar’s ex-wife, said she and Jabbar had two daughters, ages 14 and 20.
Marsh told the Post that Jabbar had converted to Islam, but he did not specify when and declined to comment further.
'Dotting I's and crossing T's' in military service
In the YouTube video posted in 2020, which has since been taken down, Jabbar spoke highly about his time serving in the US military.
He introduced himself as a property manager and real estate salesman, and said he was born and raised in Beaumont, a southeastern Texas city.
“I’ve been here all my life,” he said in the video. He also provided details about military service that matched the records released by the Pentagon on Wednesday.
In the military, he said in the video, “I learned the meaning of great service and what it means to be responsive and take everything seriously, dotting I's and crossing T's to make sure that things go off without a hitch.”
Shortly after crashing into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans early Wednesday, Jabbar got into a shootout with the police, authorities said. He was pronounced dead soon after.
The FBI said that in addition to the IS group flag, they found weapons and a potential improvised explosive device in the attacker’s truck, which appeared to be a rented Ford. Other explosive devices were located elsewhere in the French Quarter, the FBI said.
“We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” Alethea Duncan, FBI assistant special agent in charge in New Orleans, told reporters at a news briefing Wednesday afternoon. “We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
The New Orleans truck attack suspect, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old US citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was an army veteran who served as an IT specialist before earning a bachelor's degree in computer systems. He was twice-married and experienced financial difficulties, according to divorce papers.
Issued on: 02/01/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Douglas HERBERT
03:57
Hours after a truck ploughed into a crowd of New Year’s Day revellers in New Orleans, killing 15 people, the FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a US citizen from Texas.
Details have begun to emerge of Jabbar’s life and are being closely examined by investigators seeking clues for a motive behind the attack. The FBI said it was working to determine if Jabbar had any potential associations with terrorist organisations.
US President Joe Biden told reporters that, hours before the attack, Jabbar shared videos online that indicated he was "inspired by ISIS", referring to the Islamic State (IS) group.
In the videos, Jabbar discussed plans to kill his family and dreams that inspired him to join the Islamic State group, according to CNN.
A black flag linked to the group was also found in the vehicle used in the attack, the FBI said.
US army service, struggles to acclimate to civilian life
In a video posted on YouTube four years ago, Jabbar – speaking with a southern US accent – boasted of his skills as a "fierce negotiator" as he advertised his property management services to potential clients.
The Pentagon said Jabbar had served in the army as a human resource specialist and an IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and then in the army reserve until 2020.
He deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 until January 2010, an army spokesperson said, adding that he held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the end of his service. Earlier the FBI had said it believed he was honorably discharged.
Jabbar enrolled in Georgia State University in 2015 and received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 2017, according to the New York Times.
In a 2015 article in the Georgia State student paper about the challenges of college life, Jabbar said he had struggled to acclimate to civilian life after leaving the military.
He also appears to have worked in real estate, holding a licence that expired in 2021. He had a criminal record, relating to traffic offences and theft.
Criminal records reported by US news organisations show that Jabbar had two previous charges for minor offences – one in 2002 for theft and another in 2005 for driving with an invalid license.
Divorces and financial difficulties
Jabbar was twice-married, according to US news reports, with his second marriage ending in divorce in 2022, when he detailed experiencing financial problems in an email to his wife's lawyer.
"I cannot afford the house payment," he reportedly wrote, adding that his real estate company had lost more than $28,000 in the previous year, and that he had taken on thousands in credit card debt to pay for lawyers.
In a neighbourhood in north Houston, a neighbour of Jabbar’s ex-wife told The Washington Post that FBI agents had been to her home earlier in the day. Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar’s ex-wife, said she and Jabbar had two daughters, ages 14 and 20.
Marsh told the Post that Jabbar had converted to Islam, but he did not specify when and declined to comment further.
'Dotting I's and crossing T's' in military service
In the YouTube video posted in 2020, which has since been taken down, Jabbar spoke highly about his time serving in the US military.
He introduced himself as a property manager and real estate salesman, and said he was born and raised in Beaumont, a southeastern Texas city.
“I’ve been here all my life,” he said in the video. He also provided details about military service that matched the records released by the Pentagon on Wednesday.
In the military, he said in the video, “I learned the meaning of great service and what it means to be responsive and take everything seriously, dotting I's and crossing T's to make sure that things go off without a hitch.”
Shortly after crashing into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans early Wednesday, Jabbar got into a shootout with the police, authorities said. He was pronounced dead soon after.
The FBI said that in addition to the IS group flag, they found weapons and a potential improvised explosive device in the attacker’s truck, which appeared to be a rented Ford. Other explosive devices were located elsewhere in the French Quarter, the FBI said.
“We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” Alethea Duncan, FBI assistant special agent in charge in New Orleans, told reporters at a news briefing Wednesday afternoon. “We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Man who formerly served in US Army indicted over attempts to support Hezbollah
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was a dual citizen of the US and Ireland and traveled to Lebanon and Syria in 2024 to attempt to join Hezbollah.
If convicted, Molloy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for a material support charge. For false statement charges, he faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A representative of Molloy could not immediately be contacted.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was a dual citizen of the US and Ireland and traveled to Lebanon and Syria in 2024 to attempt to join Hezbollah.
By REUTERSJANUARY 3, 2025
Jack Danaher Molloy in photographs he took as part of an application process to join Hezbollah.(photo credit: Western District of Pennsylvania US Attorney's Office)
A Pennsylvania man who previously served in the US Army was indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah and of making false statements to the FBI, the US Justice Department said on Thursday.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was a dual citizen of the US and Ireland and traveled to Lebanon and Syria in 2024 to attempt to join Hezbollah, designated by the US as a terrorist organization, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The department said Molloy returned to the US in late 2024 and continued making attempts to join Hezbollah. He had also promoted hatred and violence against Jews, the Justice Department said, adding he was formerly enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the US Army from mid-March to late April in 2019.
Possible penalties
The Justice Department said Molloy lied to the FBI about his intentions to join Hezbollah when questioned upon his return to the United States in late 2024. It said he was arrested on Dec. 6 in Chicago
A Pennsylvania man who previously served in the US Army was indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah and of making false statements to the FBI, the US Justice Department said on Thursday.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was a dual citizen of the US and Ireland and traveled to Lebanon and Syria in 2024 to attempt to join Hezbollah, designated by the US as a terrorist organization, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The department said Molloy returned to the US in late 2024 and continued making attempts to join Hezbollah. He had also promoted hatred and violence against Jews, the Justice Department said, adding he was formerly enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the US Army from mid-March to late April in 2019.
Possible penalties
The Justice Department said Molloy lied to the FBI about his intentions to join Hezbollah when questioned upon his return to the United States in late 2024. It said he was arrested on Dec. 6 in Chicago
.
An illustrative image of a Hezbollah flag in the backdrop of an individual holding a weapon. (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
If convicted, Molloy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for a material support charge. For false statement charges, he faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A representative of Molloy could not immediately be contacted.
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