New Orleans Airport attacker also had Molotov cocktails, smoke bombs
A machete-wielding man shot dead who attempted to assault Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at New Orleans Airport was also carrying an arsenal of Molotov cocktails and smoke bombs, investigators said.
Attacker Richard White, 63, died after being shot three times by police at the airport.
Police later found six Molotov cocktails in a discarded bag at the airport and smoke bombs in White’s car parked near the airport.
“We don’t know at this time what the intended purpose of those being in the trunk of the car actually are,” said Sheriff Newell Normand.
The motive of the attack also remains unclear but Normand revealed the man had a history of mental health problems.
White was a Jehovah’s Witness and has refused ‘certain types of medical care,’ Normand said.
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said in a statement: “The senseless act of violence that occurred last night at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a reminder of the variety of threats we face and the important work that the men and women of the Transportation Security Administration do every day.”
“Thankfully, our Transportation Security Officers were not severely injured and their actions appeared to have prevented the assailant from inflicting more harm.”
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025