A man brandishing a machete was shot by police as he tried to storm a security checkpoint at New Orleans international airport on Friday.
Richard White, 63, reportedly struck a security worker with a large knife after attacking another with spray.
Petrol bombs were found in a bag he was carrying as well as smoke bombs in his car, which was parked near the airport.
He was then shot three times by a police officer and taken to hospital.
White, who was described as having mental health problems, died on Saturday despite being treated for leg, chest and face wounds.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu called the incident “an unexpected attack by a clearly troubled and disturbed individual”.
Police “acted quickly, they acted heroically” and saved lives, he was quoted by USA Today as saying.