New Orleans attacker’s apparent loyalty to Islamic State group highlights persistent threat of lone wolf terrorism

Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a white Ford F-150 pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Matthew Hinton/AFP via Getty Images
Sara Harmouch, American University

The deadly Jan. 1, 2025, attack in New Orleans serves as a reminder of the persistent threat to the U.S. from individuals inspired by extremist Islamist groups.

While the investigation is still ongoing, some details about the suspect have been released.