Crime
Suspect in New Orleans car-ramming attack identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar
Law enforcement has evacuated several areas, including St. Roch, where a fire broke out at an Airbnb believed to have been rented by the suspect.
New Orleans, LA — The suspect in the deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2025, claimed the lives of at least 15 people and left dozens injured.
The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Jabbar served in the U.S. Army from March 2007 to July 2020, primarily as a human resources and information technology specialist.
His military career included a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010. He retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant and received several commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Before his Army service, Jabbar briefly participated in the U.S. Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in 2004 but did not complete boot camp.
After leaving the military, Jabbar worked as a real estate property manager. However, his life was marked by financial struggles, including debts and issues related to child support payments. His real estate license, obtained in 2019, expired in 2023.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time when Jabbar allegedly drove a Ford pickup truck into a large crowd of revelers celebrating on Bourbon Street. The truck was adorned with an ISIS flag, and investigators discovered weapons and potential explosive devices in the vehicle.
Following the collision, Jabbar exited the vehicle and opened fire at responding police officers, wounding two, before being fatally shot by law enforcement. Both injured officers are in stable condition.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) discovered at the scene and surrounding areas in the French Quarter were deemed viable, prompting an extensive search for additional explosives. Bomb squad units and investigators are continuing their efforts to secure the area.
Authorities have linked Jabbar to an Airbnb rental in the St. Roch neighborhood, where a fire broke out on Wednesday morning. The property, located at 1329 Mandeville Street, was reportedly rented by the suspect.
Firefighters extinguished the flames before law enforcement and bomb squad detectives took over the scene to investigate further connections to the attack.
Residents and eyewitnesses have criticized the absence of steel barricades on Bourbon Street during the New Year’s celebrations. Jimmy Cothran, a long-time New Orleans resident, noted, “They had the flimsy orange ones that you could just push over with your finger.”
Law enforcement officials, including the FBI, are investigating Jabbar’s potential ties to extremist ideologies. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Althea Duncan of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office stated:
“We do not believe Jabbar acted alone. This attack appears to have been carefully planned, and we are pursuing all leads to identify any accomplices.”
The discovery of the ISIS flag has raised concerns about Jabbar’s potential radicalization. Investigators are examining his communications and activities in the months leading up to the attack.
The attack has sent shockwaves through New Orleans and the nation. Officials have emphasized the need to address mental health concerns and potential radicalization among veterans.
Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency in Orleans Parish to allocate additional resources for security ahead of upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and Super Bowl LIX.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed her condolences to the victims and their families, stating:
“This horrific act has devastated our community, but we will stand strong together to honor the victims and support their families.”
The FBI is urging anyone with information about Jabbar or the attack to come forward. They have also asked for photos or videos taken in the area at the time of the incident to help piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
This heinous act has left a city and a nation mourning, while efforts to understand and prevent such attacks continue.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.