A neighbor of Shamsud-Din Jabbar in north Houston has shed light on the movements of the New Orleans attack suspect prior to the incident. The neighbor reported seeing Jabbar loading a white truck with 'light stuff' in front of his home on Tuesday morning. Jabbar mentioned to the neighbor that he was relocating to Louisiana for a new job opportunity.
The neighbor, Mumtaz Bashir, offered to assist Jabbar with the moving process but was declined as Jabbar stated he was okay. Bashir described the items being loaded as light and handheld, indicating they were easy to carry.
When asked about Jabbar's new job in Louisiana, Bashir mentioned that Jabbar informed him it was IT-related. Bashir characterized Jabbar as a private and quiet individual who mostly kept to himself. He noted that Jabbar's mother had briefly lived with him initially but had not been seen for months.
Bashir revealed that he knew Jabbar was Muslim but was unaware of any recent conversion. He mentioned that Jabbar claimed to pray at home and not at the nearby mosque. Despite the shocking events that transpired, Bashir expressed his sadness and emphasized that he had not observed any signs of radicalization in Jabbar.
This account provides valuable insight into Jabbar's behavior and interactions leading up to the tragic incident in New Orleans. It underscores the importance of community awareness and vigilance in identifying potential warning signs of radicalization.