Federal Investigators Discover Bomb-Making Materials at Home of New Orleans Truck Attack Suspect

Investigators examining the home of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old man linked to a devastating truck attack in New Orleans, discovered various materials that could be used for bomb-making. Jabbar, a citizen from Texas residing in Houston, had his home searched, revealing chemicals and equipment typically utilized in constructing homemade explosives. Although the specifics of these materials remain undisclosed, law enforcement characterized them as significant in nature.

On New Year's Day, Jabbar allegedly drove a rented truck into a crowded location on Bourbon Street, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 individuals and injuries to many others before being shot by police. The FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, since Jabbar had also placed two active improvised explosive devices in coolers along the street, which were deactivated by law enforcement. Sources indicated that these devices were rudimentary pipe bombs filled with shrapnel.

During the incident, Jabbar was reported to be wearing body armor and was armed with both an AR-15 style rifle and a handgun. Additional searches took place at his Airbnb accommodation in New Orleans, where law enforcement detonated concerning materials and extinguished a fire that Jabbar allegedly set in an attempt to destroy evidence. Despite the fire, investigators believe Jabbar acted alone, although his actions were said to be inspired by ISIS, with the FBI noting a concerning trend in vehicle ramming attacks followed by explosive use as endorsed tactics by the terrorist group.