Shamsud-Din Jabbar did not give away any hints about his intention to conduct a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, according to his younger brother. Abdur Jabbar said he last spoke with him two weeks ago and he made no mention of plans to go to New Orleans.
He went on to say that his actions do "not represent Islam" and are a result of "some type of radicalization, not religion." Shamsud-Din had "pledged allegiance to ISIS" in videos posted to his Facebook page before the attack took place.
An ISIS flag was found in the truck he used for the attack and the FBI is working to determine effective associations with the terrorist organization. Abdur Jabbar described his brother as a "sweetheart really, a nice guy a friend, really smart, caring." He was killed by police after the ramming, where at least 15 people were killed.
A resident of the predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Houston, where Shamsud-Din was living, said he mostly kept to himself and stayed home.
Another Beaumont resident who went to middle school and high school with him described Shamsud-Din as "quiet, reserved and really, really smart." "He wasn't a troublemaker at all," said Chris Pousson. "He made good grades and was always well-dressed in button-ups and polo shirts."
Much of the neighborhood was blocked off by law enforcement in the aftermath of the attack, with agents searching the area comprised mostly of trailers and small homes.
Weapons and a potential IED were also found on the trailer hitch of the truck. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter of the city. The FBI believes he was not working alone. In fact, surveillance footage shows a woman and three men placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices also discovered in the French Quarter.
The FBI said it was "aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject."
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