Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans attack that killed at least 10 people on New Year's Day, has been divorced twice, according to court records reviewed by Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Jabbar has been named the suspect in the attack, which killed at least 10 people and injured 30 on Bourbon Street, a popular site for celebrating the new year in New Orleans early Wednesday morning.
It is the second attack on people during the holiday season in which a vehicle was used as a weapon. On December 20, a man drove a car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing five people and injuring hundreds.
The FBI is investigating Wednesday's attack as an act of terrorism and confirmed that an Islamic State group flag was located inside the vehicle.
What To Know
Court documents show that he was married, and divorced, twice to women named Nakedra Jabbar and Shaneen Jabbar. Newsweek reached out to each by phone and email on Wednesday.
Court documents show that his first divorce was finalized in 2013. They show that his gross monthly resources at the time were about $3,990, and he was ordered to pay $660 in child support. Nakedra Jabbar was granted majority custody.
It's unclear when his second divorce was finalized, though court files show that a restraining order was granted against him in 2020. The circumstances that prompted the order were unclear.
The order forbade Shamsud-Din Jabbar from sending threatening or obscene messages to her or causing "bodily injury" to her or their child, among a number of other behaviors.
Federal law enforcement provided an update on the investigation during a press conference at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday. They said they do not believe he was acting alone. The Associated Press reported, citing an intelligence bulletin, that the FBI reviewed footage allegedly showing three men and a woman placing an improvised explosive device.
They also confirmed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar served in the U.S. Army but did not comment on any criminal history.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick earlier said the suspect "was trying to run over as many people as he could." She said the incident was the result of "intentional behavior."
"Last night we had over 300 officers out here," she said. "And because of the intentional mindset of this perpetrator who went around our barricades in order to conduct this, he was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did."
What People Are Saying
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell during a press conference: "The mission now is to facilitate support and coordinate safety procedures to keep our residents and our visitors safe."
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."
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, on X: "Many of us woke up this morning to devastating news of the brutal intentional slaughter of innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. I'm praying for the victims and their families and will ensure they get justice for this appalling act."
What Happens Next
The public is being asked to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine streets and east to Royal Street and west to Dauphine Street until further notice.
Anyone with information that can assist in the investigation is asked to contact the FBI's New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or emailing tips@fbi.gov.
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/04/24/878/n/3019466/36c5693c662965c5d1ce91.72473705_.jpg)
English (US) ·