BEAUMONT, Texas — Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran and former real estate entrepreneur, tragically culminated his struggles with a devastating attack in New Orleans on New Year's Eve, killing 14 and injuring at least 30 others. Authorities indicate Jabbar's actions were influenced by the Islamic State (IS), making this assault one of the most significant IS-inspired events on U.S. soil in recent years. Jabbar, aged 42, had experienced a long series of personal hardships, including a third divorce in 2022, as court filings revealed issues regarding his inability to pay his mortgage and declining business revenues

Days after the tragic incident, it was uncovered that Jabbar had posted several self-affirming videos on his Facebook account hours before the attack, expressing his allegiance to IS. Even more alarming was the discovery of an Islamic State flag inside the vehicle he used during the rampage, a grim testament to the path of radicalization he had embarked upon. Abdur-Rahim Jabbar, his brother, conveyed his disbelief, stating that it was "completely contradictory to who he was and how his family and friends know him" (AP News).

Jabbar was reported to have increasingly isolated himself from loved ones over the past few years, leading Abdur-Rahim to express concern over his brother's well-being. “Nothing about his demeanor seemed to be off,” he observed, highlighting that Jabbar had maintained a calm and respectful demeanor during their last conversations. Despite this, law enforcement noted that once Jabbar had crashed into the crowd on Bourbon Street, he emerged from his vehicle clad in ballistic gear and began firing at police officers, resulting in multiple injuries before he was shot dead by responding officials.

Records reveal that Jabbar’s journey began with military service when he joined the Army in 2007. His focus on human resources and information technology led him to serve in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. After transitioning to the Army Reserve in 2015 and leaving the military altogether in 2020, he struggled to adapt to civilian life, a period marked by legal battles and financial hardships, including nearly $30,000 in mortgage arrears before his divorce finalized in January 2022 (HuffPost).

Reportedly, Jabbar’s businesses suffered great losses; while working for a reputable consulting firm, Deloitte, earning around $10,000 monthly, his personal business ventures recently failed. His venture, Blue Meadow Properties LLC, suffered a $28,000 loss in 2021 alone. Jabbar also racked up approximately $16,000 in credit card debt due to ongoing expenses, including legal fees.

Witness accounts and records establish a man who faced formidable challenges, including divorce and substantial financial instability, but had not shown significant signs of distress or anger toward his personal circumstances, according to relatives. His brother speculated that Jabbar didn't harbor any bitterness towards his ex-wives, but he may have internally blamed himself for the unfolding events leading to these separations.

Those who knew Jabbar, including military friend Chris Pousson, reflected on their interactions with disbelief. “I never saw this coming,” stated Pousson, recalling that Jabbar exhibited no obvious warning signs that would indicate such a drastic turn towards violence. Despite their intermittent contact, he praised Jabbar’s faith and demeanor during their conversations, affirming that he would have acted on any alarms had they been raised.

This shocking turn of events highlights the complex interplay of personal crises, mental health, and the vulnerability to radicalization faced by some veterans returning to civilian life. Questions linger about how Jabbar, once a respected citizen and soldier, became embroiled in such a catastrophic act of violence.

AP contributed to this report; further details are available through their original coverage.