Missouri man charged in connection with bomb-making tutorials used by New Orleans attack perpetrator
Jordan Derrick, a 40-year-old from Sweet Springs, Missouri, has been charged with distributing bomb-making information, manufacturing explosives without a license, and possessing an unregistered destructive device. Federal authorities allege that his online tutorials, posted as early as September 2023, were downloaded by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who carried out a deadly attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on January 1, 2025, killing 14 people. Jabbar used the tutorials to construct improvised explosive devices that failed to detonate. Investigators linked the methods to Derrick’s videos, and a May 2026 explosion in Odessa, Missouri, reportedly reinvigorated the probe leading to Derrick’s arrest. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge.
All sources agree on core facts: Derrick’s tutorials were used by Jabbar in planning the New Orleans attack, and Derrick now faces federal charges. However, they differ significantly in tone, framing, and completeness. The Guardian offers the most balanced and factually complete account, while New York Post leans into sensationalism and Fox News emphasizes investigative drama. The inclusion of the Odessa explosion in The Guardian adds critical context absent in the others, enhancing its completeness.
- ✓ Jordan Derrick, a 40-year-old man from Sweet Springs, Missouri, was arrested and charged in connection with posting bomb-making tutorials online.
- ✓ The tutorials allegedly influenced Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the perpetrator of the January 1, 2025, attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
- ✓ Jabbar killed 14 people and injured dozens by driving a truck into a crowd during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- ✓ Jabbar downloaded Derrick’s videos and used them to construct improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were planted but failed to detonate.
- ✓ The IEDs were consistent with methods shown in Derrick’s tutorials, according to federal investigations.
- ✓ Derrick faces federal charges including distribution of information related to explosives, manufacturing explosives without a license, and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
- ✓ RDX and other military-grade explosive compounds were featured in Derrick’s tutorials and linked to materials found in Jabbar’s truck.
Timing and catalyst for investigation
Implies investigation was ongoing but does not reference a specific new event prompting arrest.
Explicitly states that a May 2026 explosion in Odessa, Missouri, renewed urgency in the investigation leading to Derrick’s arrest.
Does not mention any post-2025 events or catalysts for Derrick’s arrest.
Nature of Derrick’s role
Portrays tutorials as a 'virtual bomb-making classroom,' emphasizing educational format and reach.
Describes tutorials as a 'blueprint,' suggesting structural influence but within a legal procedural context.
Frames Derrick as a direct enabler of terrorism, using 'used his bomb-making tutorials to carry out' attack.
Tone and emotional framing
Forensic and technical, with law enforcement narrative framing.
Procedural and legal, focusing on charges and timeline.
Highly sensational, using 'terrorist' and 'ISIS flag-carrying' in headline.
Attribution and sourcing
Uses 'investigators allege' and 'FBI previously said' without specifying sources.
Names US Attorney R Matthew Price and cites specific charges and dates.
Cites 'federal prosecutors' without naming individuals.
New York Post
Framing: New York Post frames the event as a direct causal link between Jordan Derrick’s online bomb-making tutorials and the New Orleans terrorist attack, emphasizing Derrick’s role as an enabler of terrorism. The headline positions Derrick as a central figure in the attack narrative, suggesting complicity through content distribution.
Tone: Alarmist and accusatory, with strong emphasis on the terrorist outcome and Derrick’s alleged responsibility. The language is dramatic and fast-paced, designed to highlight danger and culpability.
Sensationalism: Headline uses 'terrorist' and 'ISIS flag-carrying' to immediately associate the event with extremism and fear.
"Missouri man arrested after New Orleans terrorist allegedly used his bomb-making tutorials to carry out NYE attack"
Loaded Language: Use of terms like 'terrorist', 'killed 14 people', and 'plowed a truck into a crowd' heightens emotional impact and frames the event as a mass atrocity.
"the ISIS flag-carrying terrorist who killed 14 people in New Orleans on New Year’s Day"
Framing By Emphasis: Focuses on the RDX connection to link Derrick’s materials directly to the attack, implying technical consistency and intent.
"One of the explosive materials Derrick used in his how-to guides — RDX — was allegedly found in Jabbar’s truck"
Omission: Does not mention the 2026 Odessa explosion that prompted renewed investigation, omitting a key contextual detail about the timing of Derrick’s arrest.
"The devices Jabbar planted around the famed Bourbon Street never ended up detonating."
Cherry Picking: Highlights only the most dangerous compounds (RDX) without noting broader context of availability or common use in other contexts.
"One of the explosive materials Derrick used in his how-to guides — RDX — was allegedly found in Jabbar’s truck"
Fox News
Framing: Fox News frames the event as a case of online radicalization and digital facilitation of terrorism, portraying Derrick’s social media presence as a 'virtual bomb-making classroom.' The focus is on the method and reach of the tutorials, positioning the internet as a vector for terror.
Tone: Investigative and forensic, with a narrative emphasis on law enforcement discovery and technical detail. Tone is serious but structured like a procedural report.
Narrative Framing: Presents the story as a law enforcement breakthrough, with phrases like 'FBI NABS' and 'graphic signal messages recovered' creating a crime-solving arc.
"FBI NABS FLORIDA MAN WITH ALLEGED PLAN TO LIVESTREAM NEO-NAZI TERROR ATTACK, GRAPHIC SIGNAL MESSAGES RECOVERED"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Cites a 'newly unsealed criminal complaint' and lists specific compounds, suggesting transparency and depth of investigation.
"According to a newly unsealed criminal complaint, Derrick spent months uploading graphic, step-by-step demonstrations..."
Appeal To Emotion: References the 'deadly New Year’s Day rampage' and 'packed New Year’s crowds' to evoke public vulnerability.
"the terrorist behind the deadly New Year’s Day rampage on Bourbon Street in New Orleans"
Vague Attribution: Uses 'Investigators allege' and 'Prosecutors now say' without specifying which agency or individual, diluting accountability.
"Investigators allege Derrick began posting the content on multiple social media platforms as early as September 2023"
Framing By Emphasis: Emphasizes the sophistication of the compounds (e.g., 'nickel aminoguanidine perchlorate') to suggest high threat level.
"demonstrated how to manufacture detonators and volatile explosive compounds, including nickel aminoguanidine perchlorate..."
The Guardian
Framing: The Guardian frames the event as a legal and procedural development, focusing on the charges filed and investigative timeline. It presents the case as part of an ongoing law enforcement response, including a later explosion that reinvigorated the probe.
Tone: Measured and factual, with a procedural tone. Avoids dramatic language and emphasizes legal process and chronology.
Balanced Reporting: Identifies Derrick’s charges clearly and includes potential penalties, offering context on legal consequences.
"Derrick could face a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment if he is convicted..."
Proper Attribution: Names the US attorney (R Matthew Price) and specifies charges, enhancing credibility.
"R Matthew Price, a US attorney, announced Tuesday that 40-year-old Jordan Derrick...had been charged with one count each of..."
Comprehensive Sourcing: References the May 2026 Odessa explosion as a catalyst for renewed investigation, adding depth not found in other sources.
"The investigation leading to Derrick’s arrest took new urgency after a 4 May 2026 explosion at a home in Odessa, Missouri."
Editorializing: Uses 'Islamic State terror group sympathizer' rather than 'ISIS-inspired', which may imply stronger ideological alignment.
"The Islamic State terror group sympathizer killed 14 people and injured dozens."
Misleading Context: Implies direct use of tutorials as a 'blueprint', which may overstate technical specificity without evidence of exact replication.
"used as a blueprint to make his own improvised bombs"
The Guardian
Provides the most complete timeline, including the 2026 Odessa explosion that reinvigorated the investigation. It also details charges, penalties, and legal context with named officials.
Fox News
Offers extensive technical detail about compounds and methods, and frames the story within a law enforcement narrative. However, lacks information on the catalyst for the 2026 arrest.
New York Post
Most concise and sensational; omits key contextual details such as the 2026 explosion and specific charges beyond general descriptions.
Missouri man charged for posting bomb-making tutorials that aided New Orleans attack
Missouri man’s explosives tutorial helped New Orleans terrorist plan NYE attack, feds say
Missouri man arrested after New Orleans terrorist allegedly used his bomb-making tutorials to carry out NYE attack