Authorities have unraveled a chilling discovery in Texas that has deep ties with a heinous attack in New Orleans, executed by a former Army veteran with alleged ISIS connections.
At a Glance
- FBI discovered sulfuric acid in a Texas storage locker linked to an Army veteran involved in an ISIS-related attack.
- The New Orleans attack left 14 dead and involved RDX-based explosives that failed to detonate.
- Searches confirm no current threat, but highlight the perpetrator’s extensive planning.
- Shamsud-Din Jabbar was inspired by ISIS and used social media to document his mission.
Details of the Discovery
FBI agents, along with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, found a cooler filled with commercially available sulfuric acid in a storage unit in northwest Harris County, Texas. The discovery links directly to Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspected perpetrator behind the deadly New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. This chemical is a precursor for explosives and adds a layer of complexity to Jabbar’s intended plans.
The storage unit was located at SpareBox Storage on Walters Road in Houston. Authorities conducted a court-authorized search, establishing there is no current threat to public safety from the materials found. The FBI and local authorities have ensured that the public remains safe despite the seriousness of these findings. According to authorities, “There was, and is, no threat to public safety at this time in relation to that activity.”
BREAKING NEWS: FBI finds sulfuric acid bottles in Houston cooler similar to New Orleans attack. https://t.co/j0DLwR0wJk
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) January 7, 2025
Link to Bourbon Street Attack
The investigation ties back to the infamous Bourbon Street attack where 14 individuals lost their lives, and dozens sustained injuries. Jabbar, believed to have been inspired by ISIS, executed the attack alone. He attempted to deploy RDX-based IEDs that fortunately did not detonate. Surveillance footage caught him placing these devices in coolers before the attack. Jabbar tragically lost his life after colliding with a crane, thwarting potential further damage.
An investigation into Jabbar’s home unveiled bomb-making materials and potentially a silencer, suggesting a broader scheme was contemplated. He allegedly attempted to burn down his rental home to erase evidence, but the remaining materials were still recovered.
Social Media Trail and Community Reaction
Jabbar used social media channels to vocalize his support for ISIS and shift his aggression from personal foes to public gatherings to heighten media coverage. His transformation in targets reflected a graver intent driven by extremist ideology. Local resident Earnest Washington expressed his shock: “You wouldn’t believe that, you know, so close to home that this could be going on. I feel like who knows what’s in here now.”
Despite the scare this incident brought, authorities assure residents that both the storage facility and the neighborhood remain calmly monitored and secure. As investigations continue, this situation underscores the pressing need to be vigilant to the threats posed by domestic radicalization and the urgency for community awareness.
Sources:
- FBI finds cooler, sulfuric acid inside NW Harris County storage unit tied to New Orleans attack suspect
- Shamsud-Din Jabbar stored cooler filled with sulfuric acid in rented Texas storage unit before New Orleans terror attack: FBI
