New Orleans Terror Attack: Bomb-Making Materials Found in Airbnb

WDSU reporter Fletcher Mackel reports from the French Quarter in New Orleans where police from special operations are working to detonate explosive devices.

New Orleans, LA – In a shocking revelation post the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter, federal investigators uncovered bomb-making materials in an Airbnb property linked to the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar. The incident, which saw Jabbar drive an electric vehicle into a crowd of revelers, resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals and left at least 35 others injured.

Photographs captured the moment FBI agents were seen removing these hazardous materials from a two-bedroom, two-bathroom property on Mandeville Street in the St. Roch neighborhood, just a short distance from the French Quarter where the attack occurred. The property, recently revamped by real estate developer Oliver Doxater of Wysteria Properties, was believed to have been rented by Jabbar for the purpose of assembling the explosives used in his attack.

Federal investigators suspect that Jabbar constructed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at this location, supported by the evidence of a small fire at the property, which authorities believe was linked to the bomb-making activities. State Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed to NBC News that the explosive devices found at the scene were likely manufactured at the Airbnb, stating, “We know that these individuals had rented the house were using it for that purpose.”

The discovery has intensified the investigation into Jabbar’s motives and affiliations, particularly after an ISIS flag was found in his vehicle, suggesting possible extremist links. The FBI is actively probing whether Jabbar had any direct connections to known terrorist organizations or acted alone, influenced by radical ideologies.

This incident has not only raised concerns about security at rental properties but also about how individuals might exploit such spaces for nefarious activities. The Airbnb involved in this case is now at the center of discussions regarding the responsibility of rental platforms in monitoring activities on their properties.

As the city mourns the loss of life and the injured continue their recovery, the investigation into this horrific act of violence continues, with authorities committed to uncovering every detail of how such an attack was planned and executed. The community, shocked by the incident, is calling for increased vigilance and preventive measures to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

The FBI, along with other law enforcement agencies, are on high alert, ensuring all potential threats are neutralized before they can harm the public further. This case serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism on home soil.