Man shot during New Orleans airport attack dies

A machete-wielding man who was shot during an attack at New Orleans International Airport on Friday has died.

The death of Richard White was announced shortly after authorities revealed that he had also been carrying a bag of petrol bombs when the trouble began.

The 63-year-old was shot on Friday night as he chased an unarmed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent through a concourse full of frightened travellers.

He ran in the direction of a sheriff’s deputy, who drew her gun and fired three times. The suspect died at 4.02pm local time on Saturday.

Sheriff Newell Normand said investigators discovered after the shooting that Mr White had been carrying a bag loaded with “Molotov cocktails” - six glass jars with cloth wicks soaked in petrol.

“Fortunately, he didn’t seriously injure anybody,” he said.

The sheriff said Mr White had a history of mental health problems but investigators were trying to determine the nature and extent of those problems. His family has been co-operating with the investigation.

Authorities also found smoke bombs and tanks of acetylene, Freon and oxygen in the trunk of his car, the sheriff said.

Mr Normand said Mr White sprayed the unarmed TSA agents and several passengers queueing at the checkpoint with wasp killer.

He then drew a large machete from the waistband of his trousers. A male TSA agent blocked the machete with a piece of luggage as Mr White ran through a metal detector.

He chased a female TSA agent while swinging the machete when he was shot three times by a female officer, Mr Normand said.

New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu said a review of security procedures will follow, adding that it is standard after any emergency.

PA