New Orleans killer had rare explosives NEVER seen in US or Europe…raising fears he’d received high-level terror training
THE New Orleans terrorist who killed 14 in a senseless attack built homemade bombs using “very rare explosives”, the FBI has revealed.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar managed to create two terrifying weapons containing a highly destructive compound never before seen in the US or across Europe – as officials fear he may have been trained to kill.
The 42-year-old was gunned down by cops on New Year’s Day after going on a rampage on Bourbon Street.
He rammed his pickup truck into revellers before getting out in full combat gear and opening fire on unsuspecting partygoers.
Police said the man was “hellbent on creating carnage” during the assault as they later discovered he planned to use bombs as well.
Explosives were found both inside the rented truck as well as around the crime scene.
The two specialised bombs were both found sat inside coolers set up before the motoring massacre along Bourbon Street.
FBI special agent bomb technicians studied the materials inside the explosives and believe the main compound was r-salt.
The volatile explosive is not available in the US nor in Europe leaving agents trying to piece together how Jabbar knew about the compound.
None of the bombs detonated with cops still unclear on whether it was due to a malfunction or a lack of an activation device.
The FBI, who are now leading investigations, released a statement on the failed terror ploy which said: “Jabbar’s lack of experience and crude nature of putting the device together is the reason why he used the wrong device to set the explosives off.”
Local media say the terrorist wasn’t able to obtain military-grade detonators he needed to set off the blasts and had instead planned to use an electric match to set off the coolers.
Cops later found more explosives inside an Airbnb Jabbar was staying in prior to the massacre.
These contained the RDX explosive which is a much more common and readily available compound in America.
Raids on his ramshackle home in Houston revealed even more bomb-related evidence.
A bomb-making workbench was uncovered in a bedroom filled with chemicals that can be used in explosives as well as tools.
The FBI have confirmed they think he worked alone in the attack.
However, questions still remain over how he managed to get his hands of the explosive compounds as well as create the sophisticated bombs from his home.
Further investigations are set to look into if an individual or even a wider organisation may have trained him up.
Several potential links being probed include a trip to Egypt where the FBI fear he may have been radicalised, ABC News reports.
As well as his affiliation with ISIS.
Hours before the attack, the FBI said Jabbar posted five videos on social media where he proclaimed his support for the Islamic terror group.
Jabbar said in one of the videos that he had joined the terrorist organization “before the summer.”
An ISIS flag was also found on the trailer hitch of the truck used in the attack.
Fears are also growing that he may have been potentially trained up by an active thug from inside the US.
PREPARING TO ATTACK
The sadistic Texan visited New Orleans twice before he executed the brazen killing spree on December 1.
Jabbar is said to have scouted out the location where he would go on to carry out the sick attack using Meta smart glasses to record the area.
Meta’s AI-enabled glasses allow wearers to film, take photos, and make calls.
Special agent Lyonel Myrthil said: “He was in town at least two days. During that time, Jabbar using Meta glasses recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle.”
He added: “We have tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 until July 3 of 2023.
“A few days later, he flew to Ontario, Canada on July 10 and returned to the U.S. on July 13, 2023.
“Our agents are getting answers as to where he went, who he met with and how those trysts may or may not tie into his actions here in our city.”
It has since been revealed that one of the 14 victims was the stepson of Prince William and Harry’s former nanny.
Edward Pettifer, 31, was tragically run down and killed from blunt force injuries in the attack.
Pettifer, who was visiting Louisiana with a friend, was described as a “wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many”.
His heartbroken family added in a touching tribute to the Chelsea-born Brit that they were “devastated” by his death.
King Charles, Prince William and wife Kate all sent their condolences to the Pettifer family with the King said to have been “deeply saddened” by the news.
DAYS OF TERROR
2025 begun with a series of shocking incidents in the US sparking terror across the country.
Just three hours into the New Year, a driver deliberately plowed a pickup truck through crowds of revellers in New Orleans.
The driver, Shamsud Din Jabbar, killed 14 people when he purposely drove into pedestrians in the French Quarter, before being killed himself in a firefight with police.
A further 35 were injured in the terror attack, believed to be inspired by the ISIS terror group, which Jabbar had pledged allegiance to earlier this year.
Jabbar is believed to have acted alone after authorities earlier said they were hunting for suspected accomplices.
Later on the same day, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
One person – the driver – was killed in the blast while seven bystanders were wounded.
The driver has been named as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a US Army Green Beret who served at the same military base as Jabbar.
He lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and rented the Cybertruck through Turo, the same vehicle-sharing app used to rent the pickup truck used in the New Orleans attack.
However, at this point, the FBI says there is no confirmed link between Livelsberger and Jabbar.
On Thursday, January 2, there was a major lockdown around the US Capitol after a vehicle was spotted driving erratically on the sidewalk.
The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with dangerous driving.
It comes as DC plans to host several major events in the coming days, including the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
New Orleans is also hosting a number of mass events in the next few weeks, including the Sugar Bowl college football playoff, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and Essence Festival.