At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured in New Orleans after a driver plowed into a crowd during New Year’s celebrations Wednesday morning. The suspect also opened fire on two police officers, according to police.
The city of New Orleans confirmed the casualty figures in a statement on its website, saying people were injured in a “mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that struck a large crowd at Canal and Bourbon Street.”
Authorities are also investigating multiple suspected improvised explosive devices related to the attack; The FBI said it did not know if they were viable explosives, but urged the public to avoid the area.
A federal law enforcement official told NBC News that the suspect is believed to be dead.
According to a White House official, President Biden has been briefed about the attack.
“We know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a news conference, adding that she was in contact with the White House.
Anne Kirkpatrick, superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, said the suspect intentionally drove a van down Bourbon Street with the goal of causing a large number of victims.
The suspect drove around barricades erected to stop traffic entering Bourbon Street, due to his “intentional mindset,” Kirkpatrick said, adding that he was “hell-bent on creating carnage.”
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could. It wasn’t a DUI situation,” he said.
The dozens of injured people are being treated at local hospitals, as are the two wounded officers, who are in stable condition, he said.
Kirkpatrick said it was unclear how many victims were locals, but said that based on preliminary information “it appears that the majority are locals versus tourists.”
Contrary to the mayor’s use of the term, FBI Special Agent Alethea Duncan, who is leading the investigation, said “this is not a terrorist event.” The federal law enforcement official later said that the incident was being investigated as a possible terrorist act and that the special agent was simply being cautious.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the incident a “horrible act of violence” in a post on X and said he was praying for the victims.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement on families and I will do it. “Ensure justice is served for this heinous act.”
Historic Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is a popular tourist area filled with bars and restaurants and was expected to be busy on New Year’s Eve.
Images taken by spectators and posted to social media showed a huge police presence on Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
Police said Tuesday they expected the city to be busy as locals and visitors ring in the new year. The New Orleans Police Department said it would be at 100% staff and recruiting another 300 officers to help keep the peace.
This is a developing story, check back here for updates soon..
