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Earlier Wednesday, a driver plowed into a crowd during New Orleans New Year celebrations, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 30 others. The suspect also fired at two police officers, according to police.
City of New Orleans confirms casualty toll In a statement on its website It said “a car plowed into a large group of people at Canal and Bourbon Streets, causing a mass casualty incident,” injuring one person.
Authorities are also investigating multiple suspected improvised explosive devices in connection with the attack – the FBI said it was unclear whether they were viable explosives but urged the public to avoid the area.
A federal law enforcement official told NBC News the suspect is believed to be dead.
President Biden has been briefed on the attack, according to White House officials.
“We do know that the city of New Orleans has been affected by the terrorist attacks,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a news conference, adding that she was in contact with the White House.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said the suspect intentionally drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street with the intent of causing mass casualties.
Because of his “deliberate state of mind,” the suspect drove around a barricade erected to block traffic entering Bourbon Street, Kirkpatrick said, adding that he was “here intent on causing carnage.”
“This man was trying to knock down as many people as possible. This was not a drunk driving situation,” she said.
Dozens of the injured were being treated at local hospitals, and the two injured police officers were in stable condition, she said.
Kirkpatrick said it was unclear how many of the victims were locals, but said based on preliminary information, “it appears the majority are locals rather than tourists.”
Contrary to the mayor’s claims, Alicia Duncan, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation, said “this was not a terrorist incident.” Federal law enforcement officials later said the incident was being investigated as a potential act of terrorism and that agents were simply exercising caution.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted on X that the incident was a “horrible act of violence” and said he was praying for the victims.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement on People were brutally and deliberately massacred.
The French Quarter’s historic Bourbon Street, a popular tourist area filled with bars and restaurants, is expected to be busy on New Year’s Eve.
Video captured by bystanders and posted to social media showed a heavy police presence on Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
police said on tuesday They expect the city to be busy as locals and tourists ring in the New Year. The New Orleans Police Department said it will be staffed at 100% and will recruit an additional 300 officers to help keep the peace.
This is a developing story, please check back soon for updates.
