The suspect in the terrorist attack that killed 15 people on New Year’s morning in New Orleans had multiple ties to the Metro Atlanta area.
The Texas-born suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, graduated from Georgia State University in 2017 with a B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems. He was in the U.S. Army, including deployment to Afghanistan, before transferring to the Army Reserves in 2015.
Fox 5 Atlanta reports Jabbar, 42, was married in September 2013 and filed for divorce in DeKalb County in May 2016. During that time, records indicate he was living in a Clarkston apartment complex. The AJC reports that he also lived in Marietta for a time.
The FBI said Jabbar had made a series of videos prior to the attack, including one where he spoke about three broken marriages, mounting debt, and that he had joined the terrorist organization ISIS.
Fifteen people were killed and more than 35 injured after Jabbar, 42, allegedly drove a rented truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street, according to CNN.
The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday when the truck drove onto the famed tourist street, intentionally striking people celebrating the arrival of 2025. Jabbar was killed in a firefight with New Orleans police, two of whom were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
According to CNN, police found an ISIS flag, weapons, and potential explosive devices in the vehicle. Additional explosives also placed by Jabbar were found along Bourbon Street. The FBI initially believed Jabbar had accomplices but announced Thursday morning that he acted alone.
Fans of the University of Georgia Bulldogs were in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal with Notre Dame. The game was postponed until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, at the Superdome.
A UGA student – identified as 19-year-old Elle Eisele from Florida – is among the 35 injured in the early-morning terrorist attack.
According to a social media post from UGA President Jere W. Morehead, a University of Georgia student was “critically injured” in the attack on Bourbon Street and is now receiving medical care.
Rough Draft columnist Bill Crane, in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, was staying in a hotel at the corner of Canal and Bourban Streets where the incident began.
“I have covered mass shootings over the years, but I have never been adjacent or on top of one. It is all a bit surreal. Very saddened for the families who lost loved ones, the 30+ injured and the two police officers recovering from non-critical gunshot wounds. Commending New Orleans and State Police for their rapid response, which likely saved dozens of additional lives. Praying that the two explosive devices already recovered and detonated are the only two successfully planted to cause further harm and injury,” Crane said in an email.
Philip Rafshoon, director of membership engagement for Midtown Atlanta and former owner of Outwrite Books, was in New Orleans for a vacation when the attack occurred.
“When we walked out of our hotel in the French Quarter, we soon found out that it was being evacuated,” Rafshoon said. “It took hours until they could get us back in to get our stuff. What an ordeal. Very ready to get home tomorrow, but so thankful to be alive!”
In response to the attack, the Atlanta Police Department increased patrol at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this afternoon during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The FBI also said Thursday there was no link between Jabbar and a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Jan. 1 The truck rented for the attack in New Orleans and the Cybertruck were both rented from Turo, the app that lets owners rent out their vehicles.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
