Investigators are trying to determine the motivations of the man and the man's family has been cooperating with the investigation, the sheriff said. When discussing the attack, Normand said at the news conference that there was a "mental health component" but didn't elaborate on any specifics.
    White was a Jehovah's Witness and had refused "certain types of medical care," Normand said.
    Authorities also found smoke bombs and tanks of acetylene, Freon and oxygen in the trunk of his car, Normand said, but investigators didn't know what, if anything, White intended to do with the materials. Normand said White is believed to be a former taxi driver, but added that investigators are still examining a variety of sources and databases to obtain his employment and criminal history.
    The attack opened Friday evening when White sprayed unarmed Transportation Security Administration agents and several passengers in line at the airport security checkpoint with wasp killer, Normand said. He added that the man then drew a large machete from the waistband of his pants and a male TSA agent blocked the machete with a piece of luggage as White ran through a metal detector.
    White chased TSA agent Carol Richel while swinging the machete. They were heading toward Lt. Heather Slyve of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, who fired three times as White quickly gained ground on Richel, Normand said.
    One bullet apparently went through Richel's right upper arm and hit White. Her wound was not life-threatening and Richel showed her bandaged arm to reporters at Saturday's news conference. She credited Slyve with saving her life.
    "Officer Slyve is my hero," Richel said.
    New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said a review of security procedures will follow, adding that such is standard after any emergency. He joined Normand and TSA Acting Administrator Mel Carraway at Saturday's airport news conference.
    The airport is owned by the city of New Orleans but located in the suburban city of Kenner in Jefferson Parish. The officials praised the work of TSA officials who helped usher passengers away from the unfolding danger, as well as the law enforcement officials providing security and investigating the incident.