Federal investigators have discovered sulfuric acid, a chemical commonly used in explosives, within a Texas storage unit connected to Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The FBI's Houston field office confirmed the discovery, stating the unit, rented by Jabbar, was located approximately a mile from his residence in Harris County. The acid was found inside a cooler during a joint overnight search conducted by the FBI and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. While sulfuric acid has numerous commercial applications, it can also be combined with other substances to create explosive devices. The FBI has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
Surveillance images released by the FBI show Jabbar an hour before the attack, in which he drove a truck down Bourbon Street. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
A surveillance photograph depicts the cooler containing an improvised explosive device (IED) found near the attack site. (FBI)
Investigators examine the New Orleans rental property used by Jabbar. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
This discovery follows earlier reports that Jabbar left two undetonated IEDs in New Orleans and additional bomb-making materials at his rented Airbnb. A neighbor confirmed to FOX 8 New Orleans that authorities discovered bomb-making materials within the residence. The attack, which occurred around 3:15 a.m. local time on New Year's Day, involved Jabbar driving a rented Ford pickup truck into a crowd of people. He then exited the vehicle and engaged in a firefight with law enforcement, resulting in his death at the scene. Authorities recovered an ISIS flag, weapons, and an IED from the truck. The FBI has classified the incident as an act of terrorism.
Law enforcement officers secure the area after the attack on Canal and Bourbon streets. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
