Years before the tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, Sean Keenan, a freelance contributor for the New York Times, interviewed Shamsud-Din Jabbar for a college newspaper. Reflecting on that encounter, Keenan expressed disbelief that the man he once spoke with could be capable of such violence.

Speaking with CNN's Paula Newton, Keenan described his reaction to learning Jabbar was the suspect in the attack that claimed 15 lives on Bourbon Street. He recounted his 2015 interview with Jabbar for Georgia State University's student publication, where Jabbar came across as "cool, calm, and collected." Keenan, who interviewed Jabbar for a piece about student veterans, stated that he detected no warning signs during their conversation.

Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen residing in Houston, is accused of driving a truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's Eve on Bourbon Street. Following the attack, he reportedly exchanged gunfire with law enforcement and was killed. Authorities suspect Jabbar acted alone, potentially inspired by ISIS, and reportedly discovered bomb-making materials at a New Orleans Airbnb he is believed to have rented. Jabbar's background includes two marriages, two children, and service in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Afghanistan. The FBI indicated he likely received an honorable discharge.

Keenan's surprise was echoed by others familiar with Jabbar. He told CNN that those who knew Jabbar described a stark contrast between the man they knew and the perpetrator of the attack. Keenan reiterated Jabbar's reserved demeanor during their interview, attributing it to the potential lingering effects of difficult deployments. In a New York Times article published after the attack, Keenan recalled Jabbar's struggles to readjust to civilian life, including difficulties navigating the VA system and communicating effectively outside of military jargon.