Sheriff says New Orleans airport attacker had explosives

KENNER, La. (AP) — Authorities say the machete-wielding man who was shot at New Orleans' international airport after trying to attack passengers and security agents was carrying explosives at the time.

Sheriff Newell Normand said suspect Richard White, who was shot three times by a security agent late Friday after approaching a security checkpoint spraying insecticide and brandishing a machete, was also carrying a bag loaded with six Molotov cocktails — six Mason jars with cloth wicks soaked in gasoline.

There was also a barbeque lighter and a letter opener in the bag, Normand said at a press conference at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Residue from smoke bombs was also found near White's body.

Normand says White is hospitalized with gunshot wounds and is currently "unconscious."

The sheriff suggested the suspect has had "mental health" issues. His family has been cooperating with the investigation.

The suspect, 63, is a Jehovah's Witness and has refused "certain types of medical care," Normand said.

"Fortunately, he didn't seriously injure anybody," Normand said.