At least 10 people were killed and 30 or more injured when a truck deliberately plowed into a crowd at Canal and Bourbon streets in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday, city officials said. went
The incident happened at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets during New Year’s Eve celebrations, the city said in a statement. Bourbon Street is a historic tourist spot in the city’s French Quarter, known for attracting large crowds with its music and bars.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Wednesday that investigators found a suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
“We are working to confirm whether or not this is a viable device,” Special Agent Alethea Duncan told a news conference after the attack.
Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick said at a televised news conference that a driver intentionally plowed into a crowd at 3:15 a.m.
“This guy was trying to run over as many people as he could,” Kirkpatrick said.
“He was bent on making up for the carnage and damage that he did,” he added.
Kirkpatrick said the driver opened fire on police and hit two police officers after his vehicle crashed.
He said more than 300 officers were on duty at the time of the incident and the FBI will handle the investigation.
“There was a horrific act of violence this morning on Bourbon Street,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said on X, urging people to stay away from the area where the attack occurred.
The injured were taken to at least five different hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department.