The compound has never been used in a terrorist attack in the US or Europe, and investigators are looking into how the attacker, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar (42), learned how to produce explosives, according to the sheet The Telegraph January 5, citing law enforcement officials.
Jabbar used the above compound in two homemade bombs, which were found in the refrigerator on Bourbon Street, where the perpetrator carried out the deadly attack on New Year’s Day. Those two bombs did not explode and it is still unclear whether the failure of the bomb was due to a malfunction or because it had not been detonated.
Is the person who crashed a car and killed 15 people on New Year’s Day in the US linked to IS?
Although the FBI has concluded that Jabbar was not likely assisted by anyone else in the attack, the FBI will now seek to determine whether Jabbar was assisted by an individual or organization. Does someone teach how to make explosive devices using rare compounds?
Jabbar also tried to burn down an apartment rented by the perpetrator, where authorities found other bomb-making materials. Jabbar started a small fire in the hallway of the rented apartment, carefully placing a catalyst to spread the fire, according to the FBI. However, the fire was out before firefighters arrived, allowing officials to collect evidence.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans attack, is seen in photos from social media, released in November 2013
Two guns and a bomb detonator were also found in Jabbar’s pickup truck and were taken to the FBI laboratory for testing.
Federal authorities searched Jabbar’s home in Houston, Texas and discovered dangerous materials believed to have been used to make explosive devices.
Law enforcement officials also discovered that Jabbar had reserved the pickup truck that the suspect used to stab the victim six weeks earlier, suggesting that Jabbar had planned the attack in advance.
The FBI is also investigating Jabbar’s travel itinerary, including a trip to Egypt, and trying to determine whether he became radicalized during the trip.
Before carrying out the attack, Jabbar (a Texas-born American citizen and military veteran) posted several messages on social networks stating that he had been inspired by the State organization. Self-proclaimed Islam (IS).
The medical examiner’s office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims in Jabbar’s crash as “blunt trauma.” University of New Orleans Medical Center spokeswoman Carolina Giepert said 13 people remained hospitalized, including eight in intensive care.
