Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who plowed into a crowded New Orleans street in an ISIS-inspired attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day, had planned to detonate two explosive devices on Bourbon Street, according to the FBI.
Authorities say the U.S. Army veteran used a very rare explosive compound in the two devices that has never been used in a U.S. terrorist attack. It remains unclear whether the failure was due to a malfunction, lack of activation, or another issue.
Federal authorities searching Jabbar’s home in Houston found bomb-making materials and revealed that he reserved the vehicle used in the attack more than six weeks earlier.
Jabbar, who flew a black Islamic State flag during the attack, is the latest example of the extremist group’s ability to inspire violence despite suffering years of losses to a U.S.-led military coalition.