The Iraqi officials confirmed the detention of an ISIS militant who allegedly encouraged the New Year’s Eve terrorist incident on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including the perpetrator.
The arrest took place several months following the actions of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old from Texas, who killed 14 innocent bystanders and wounded 57 more by driving a Ford F-150 through crowds gathered to celebrate New Year’s early in the morning on January 1st. Jabbar was fatally shot by law enforcement during a confrontation.
The Iraqi authorities specified that their probe into the involvement of the ISIS member was initiated at the behest of American officials, although they did not elaborate on the specific details that led to the violent incident. The individual’s identity has not been disclosed by authorities.
The suspect will be tried in Iraq under the country’s anti-terror laws for being a member of ISIS, according to a translated statement from the Iraq judiciary.
The FBI released this photo of Shamsud-Din Jabbar. (FBI New Orleans)
On Dec. 31, Jabbar rented a Ford truck in Houston and then drove it to New Orleans, where he checked in to an Airbnb. Authorities would later find bomb-making materials and remnants of a fire at the property, saying Jabbar likely attempted to cover up his crime by attempting to burn evidence at the rental home in the St. Roch neighborhood, about two miles from the French Quarter.
New Orleans police confront terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar on Jan. 1, 2025. (New Orleans Police Department)
“It’s pretty clear so far that this is a guy who was radicalized online and who was determined to try to murder as many innocent people as he could in the name of ISIS,” Wray said in his interview with “60 Minutes.”
Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
