The New Orleans Truck Attack: A Different Kind of Bomb

On New Year's Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar surprised investigators with his choice of explosive. He used a chemical never seen in U. S. or European attacks. This rare compound was found in two homemade bombs placed near where he drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. Jabbar's Houston trailer was searched, and agents found bomb-making materials and chemicals used to create these explosives. Investigators are curious about how Jabbar acquired and made this unique explosive. Luckily, the bombs didn't go off. Jabbar planned to use a radio transmitter found in his truck to detonate them. This transmitter, along with two guns, is being tested in an FBI lab.

Jabbar also rented an Airbnb before the attack. He set a small fire there to destroy evidence. Despite his efforts, the fire didn't spread, allowing investigators to find bomb-making components and a suspected rifle silencer. The FBI has received nearly 1, 000 tips and is working with victims and witnesses. They've already gathered evidence from Bourbon Street and the Airbnb. Jabbar's plan involved using the transmitter to set off the bombs during his truck attack. This event shows how terror tactics can evolve, using lesser-known chemicals to cause harm.

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