Authorities have released more details about the terrorist suspected of carrying out a horrifying attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year's Day that left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured.
The FBI said at a press conference: press conference It was revealed on Thursday that Shamsuddin Jabar, who was killed by responding officers, had posted a video on his Facebook profile in which he said he had pledged allegiance to ISIS before last summer.
“His actions do not represent Islam.”
“Five videos were posted to Jabbar's Facebook account. … In the first video, Jabbar initially intended to harm his family and friends, but when news headlines read, 'A conflict between believers and non-believers… “He also submitted a suicide note, stating that he had joined ISIS prior to this summer,” said FBI Assistant Director Christopher Reier. explained.
Jabbar reportedly hit the pedestrian with an ISIS flag attached to the hitch of his rented electric pickup truck.
Jabbar's family also weighed in on why the Army veteran would choose to target civilians in a tourist-heavy area like the French Quarter.
new york times reported Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar's ex-wife, said Jabbar had been behaving strangely in recent months after converting to Islam, including “going crazy and cutting his hair.” spoke. His behavior reached the point where Marsh and his wife stopped letting the daughters they share with Jabbar see him.
Mr. Jabbar's younger brother, Abdul, told the Times that they had been raised as Christians during their childhood, but that the older Mr. Jabbar had long ago converted to Islam. “I was a Muslim for most of my life,” he said.
“What he did is not representative of Islam. This is not a religion, it is a kind of radicalization,” the brother added.
Abdul said the last time he spoke to Shamsuddin was a few weeks ago, when everything seemed normal and he had not expressed any plans to go to New Orleans.
It was initially reported that other suspects were involved in Jabbar's attack, but authorities now say Jabbar carried out the crime alone. The FBI and ATF confirmed that other improvised explosive devices were found in the French Quarter and safely disposed of.
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