‘No terrorist to me’: Friends, family struggle to reconcile Jabbar’s past with attack

A challenge is seen on Royal Street after a car drove into a group on New Orleans ‘ Canal and Bourbon sidewalks, Wednesday, January 1, 2025. ( Left ), and Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar. ( AP )

Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a man who appeared to reflect silent control and devotion, shocked the nation when he rammed a vehicle into a group of dancers on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, on New Year’s Time. The attack, which claimed at least 15 lives, left his family, friends, and former colleagues grappling with a grim and confounding reality.
Authorities are looking into Jabbar’s connections to extremist ideologies, but those who knew him paint a portrait that contrasts starkly with the heinous acts of violence.
The neighbor’s perspective: ‘ He was always kind’
” He wasn’t a terrorist to me”, said Marilyn Bradford, a 70-year-old neighbor who lived above Jabbar in a Houston apartment building until last year. ” He was always kind, always helpful. When I moved out, he gave me a dryer and a steamer. He was someone you’d call a good man”, quoted NYT.
Bradford recalled Jabbar helping her carry groceries and spending weekends with his three kids. ” He was an outcast, but I used to call him my buddy”, she added.
A high school leader who piqued respect
Similar sentiments were expressed by former Beaumont Central High School classmates. Micah Roach, who attended school with Jabbar, expressed disbelief. ” I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news. He was presidential before his time—well-spoken, engaging with everyone, and respected by all”, Roach was quoted by 12newsnow as saying. ” If he had asked to date my daughter back then, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it”.
Another classmate, Chris Pousson, described Jabbar as “quiet and really smart”. After serving in the military, Porsson reconnected with Jabbar on Facebook and expressed his growing devotion to his Muslim faith. ” He’d post about religion, but it was never extremist or violent”, Pousson said. This attack is completely different from the person I was aware of.
Family members are vocal.
Jabbar’s younger brother, Abdur Jabbar, echoed the shock and sadness. ” This is not who he was”, Abdur said. ” What he did doesn’t represent Islam. He was radicalized somehow—this wasn’t about faith”. He described his brother as a man seeking purpose and commanding authority in the military.
A stellar professional reputation
Even in his professional life, Jabbar was known for his intellect and diligence. A former colleague at Deloitte, where Jabbar worked as an IT specialist, said,” He was sharp, focused, and never gave anyone trouble. He talked about his kids a lot, especially his daughters”.
Signs of change and unrest
Yet there were signs of instability. Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar’s ex-wife, said Jabbar had become erratic in recent months. After becoming an Islam convert, he said,” He was acting completely crazy and acting out of character.” Due to his behavior, we stopped allowing his daughters to see him.
A tragedy that defies understanding
Despite these changes, many people are having trouble reconciling such a heinous act with the man they knew. ” Sham was someone we looked up to”, Roach said. ” He came from a good family, was incredibly smart, and could’ve been anything—an entrepreneur, a CEO. This tragedy doesn’t make sense”.
As investigations get underway, Jabbar’s life, from his time in the US Army to his faith and struggles with civilian life, provides a somber look at a man whose descent into violence has left those who knew him searching for answers.

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