New Orleans Attack: 'A Sweetheart' Behind Terror Attack – Suspect’s Brother Blames Radicalisation For Massacre

On New Year's Eve, a devastating attack unfolded in New Orleans when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 24-year-old Army veteran, drove a pickup truck bearing an ISIS flag into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people. The suspect was shot dead by police after the incident, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Now, his brother, Abdur Jabbar, is speaking out, describing his sibling as "a sweetheart" and attributing the attack to radicalisation rather than religion.

A Loving Brother Turns to Violence

Abdur Jabbar, who resides in Beaumont, Texas, expressed shock at his brother's actions, emphasizing that Shamsud-Din's violence does not reflect his understanding of Islam. Speaking to The New York Times, he said, "What my brother did does not represent Islam. This is more some type of radicalisation, not religion." Abdur recalled that his brother had been "a nice guy, a friend, really smart, caring," and struggled to reconcile this with the horrific massacre, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Radicalisation, Not Religion

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who had converted to Islam at a young age, posted disturbing videos on social media just hours before the attack. In these videos, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and expressed his intention to kill, even mentioning plans to murder his family. His actions have been described by authorities as "intentional" and "hell-bent" on causing as much destruction as possible.

The Attack and Its Aftermath

The attack was carried out using a rented Ford F-150 Lightning EV pickup truck, which Jabbar flew the ISIS flag from. In addition to running down pedestrians, authorities later discovered improvised explosive devices in the area, suggesting that Jabbar had planned to cause even more harm. A long gun with a suppressive device was also found, raising concerns that Jabbar may have had assistance in executing the massacre, as per US Media reports.

A Devastating Wake-Up Call

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick stated that Jabbar's actions were "hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage." The FBI, which is investigating the case, has confirmed that Jabbar's social media posts indicate he was inspired by ISIS and had a clear desire to kill.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation, acknowledging the tragedy and expressing solidarity with the victims' families, as per media reports. As the investigation into the attack continues, the question remains: how could someone described as "a sweetheart" be driven to commit such a heinous act? The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of radicalisation and its potential for devastating consequences.