Shamsud-Din Jabbar's Wife Got Restraining Order Against Him

The ex-wife of Shamsud-Din Jabbar took out a restraining order against him in 2020 during divorce proceedings.

Jabbar, 42, of Houston, was a former military member and father of at least three children. He appears to have been married, and divorced, at least twice.

Why It Matters

Jabbar was identified as the driver of the truck that rammed into a crowd at a new year's celebration in New Orleans early Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 30.

The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.

Investigators confirmed that Jabbar, who was shot dead by police at the scene, was a U.S. citizen. The authorities are now looking into his religious and political affiliations, including if he was associated with a known terrorist organization.

Security personnel gather at the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd at Canal and Bourbon streets in New Orleans on January 1, 2025. Gerald Herbert/AP

What To Know

Court documents show that Jabbar's second ex-wife, Shaneed Chantil Jabbar, 40, was granted the temporary restraining order against him in July 2020. The order expressly forbid Shamsud-Din Jabbar from sending threatening or obscene messages to her or causing "bodily injury" to her or their child.

It also said that he could not make late night prank calls, cancel her credit cards, and a number of other abusive behaviors. Shaneed was ordered to refrain from the same.

He was separated from his first wife, Nakedra Charrlle Jabbar, 41, in 2012, court documents show.

Nakedra Jabbar was granted custody of their two children and Shamsud-Din Jabbar was ordered to pay child support of up to $650 a month and told to provide medical insurance for his children.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar was killed in a firefight with police in the early hours of New Year's Day after using a rented truck to mow down a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street. The New Orleans Police Department said the suspect opened fire on officers after the vehicle came to a stop.

Jabbar, 42, was registered as a Democrat in 2012 when he resided in North Carolina. His Texas voter registration has no party affiliation. He also attended college at Georgia State University, according to records.

Court records show he was in the military, where he served as a human resources specialist and an IT specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years.

He was later employed by The Midas Group. In a 2020 YouTube video he appears to have posted, he also claimed to be a property manager at Blue Meadow Properties.

In 2005, he was charged for driving with a suspended license and in 2002 with misdemeanor theft, according to records reviewed by Newsweek.

What People Are Saying

President Joe Biden in a statement: "My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities."

President-elect Donald Trump on Truth Social on Wednesday morning: "When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true.

"The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, on X, formerly Twitter: "A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area."

What Happens Next

The public is being asked to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine streets and also east to Royal Street and west to Dauphine Street until further notice.

The FBI is leading the investigation.

Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI's New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.