Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s High School Friends Knew Him as “Sham” – a Good Student with a Quiet Disposition and a Bright Future. He Went on to Become a Model Soldier in the Army, Where His Work Ethic and Attitude Impressed His Commander During a Tour in Afghanistan.
‘He was a great soldier, someone who showed discipline and dedication’
Jabbar’s commander, Rich Groen, posted on social media. “He was a great soldier, someone who showed discipline and dedication,” Groen wrote. But over the past few years, as Jabbar worked to climb the corporate ladder, his life began to deteriorate. He faced severe money problems and a third divorce. At some point, he fell under the sway of the Islamic State, the terrorist group known as ISIS.
‘A lot of questions we’re still asking ourselves’
Investigators are trying to identify Jabbar’s path to radicalization. At a news conference Thursday morning, law enforcement officials conceded that they had little insight into his transformation. “A lot of questions we’re still asking ourselves,” said Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “What I can tell you right now is that he was 100% inspired by ISIS. We’re digging through more of the social media, more interviews, working with some of our other partners to ascertain a little bit more about that connection.”
‘Time is of the essence’
Jabbar grew up in Beaumont, a city in eastern Texas near the Louisiana border. He attended Central High School, where he was known for his polite, easygoing way and polished appearance. He tended to wear button-up shirts and polos, former classmates said.
After he graduated in 2001, Jabbar sought to serve his country. He initially tried to enlist in the Navy in 2004, according to three U.S. defense officials, but he left after only a month. He then joined the Army, working as a human resource specialist and information technology specialist from 2007 to 2015.
His unit deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010.
‘Prays at home’
It remains unclear when Jabbar first became attracted to ISIS. His half-brother said that their father was Muslim and that Jabbar’s mother was Christian but converted when they married. Jabbar was open about his Muslim faith. He made it clear that he wasn’t into drinking or partying, but he didn’t talk about it in a strident way, his half-brother said.
They rarely discussed religion, but the war in Gaza did come up in a conversation last year.
“He was upset about what’s happening in Palestine,” Abdur-Rahim Jabbar said. He remembered his brother saying “it was genocide on both sides.” Jabbar seemed to become more devout after his most recent divorce, Abdur-Rahim Jabbar said, but he never discussed ISIS or any radical ideologies.
Conclusion
Jabbar’s case is a shocking example of how someone with a seemingly normal and ordinary life can suddenly turn to extremism. Experts say that financial struggles, family problems, and a sense of purposelessness can all contribute to someone’s radicalization. While Jabbar’s specific path to ISIS is still unclear, it is clear that his life had become increasingly chaotic and desperate in the years leading up to his attack.
FAQs
Q: How did Jabbar’s friends and family react to his attack?
A: They were shocked and confused, describing him as kind and unassuming, and expressing disbelief that someone who was so quiet and polite could carry out such a heinous act of terrorism.
Q: Was Jabbar ever in trouble before?
A: Yes, he was in minor trouble during his teenage years and had a short stint in the Navy before joining the Army. However, his military service had a positive impact on his life, and he seemed to find direction and purpose during his time in the service.
Q: Did Jabbar’s Muslim faith play a role in his radicalization?
A: It is unclear how much of a role Jabbar’s faith played in his radicalization. He was open about his Muslim faith, but it is not clear whether he ever discussed ISIS or any radical ideologies with his friends or family.
