At Least 10 Dead After Car Plows Into Crowd In New Orleans—Mayor Says Incident A ‘Terrorist Attack’

 

Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street in New Orleans after a vehicle drove into a crowd killing at least 10

At least 10 people were killed in New Orleans’ Bourbon Street early on Wednesday after a vehicle rammed into a crowd in the popular tourist district during New Year’s celebrations, in an incident the city’s mayor described as a ‘terrorist attack.’

Key Facts

In an official statement, city authorities said 30 injured people have been transported to nearby hospitals and 10 people are dead.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said a man drove a pickup truck into the crowd and then opened fire at police.

Citing unnamed law enforcement sources, both CNN and the New York Times reported that police killed the attacker after he opened fire.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a press conference the city “was impacted by a terrorist attack,” adding that the matter was still under investigation.

An improvised explosive device was found and investigators are trying to determine if it is viable, said Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent for the FBI’s New Orleans office.

Bourbon Street, located in the city’s French Quarter, is a popular tourist spot where a large number of people had gathered for New Year’s celebrations.

What Else Do We Know About The Attack?

Kirkpatrick said the man drove his truck into the crowd at around 3:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day. After the crash, the man fired at police officers responding to the scene, police say. Two officers were shot by the attacker, but are in stable condition. Kirkpatrick said the perpetrator acted intentionally and “went around our barricades in order to conduct this.” She added: “He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.” The FBI will take over the “investigative lead” for the incident, according to Kirkpatrick.

Crucial Quote

In a statement on X, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wrote: “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning...I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”