The suspect, who is now dead, intentionally drove his vehicle into a large group of revelers on Bourbon Street at about 3:15 a.m. in what the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism, authorities said. is
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick said at a news conference that “this guy was trying to run over as many people as possible.” “He was bent on causing the carnage and damage that he did.”
Kirkpatrick said the suspect drove around barriers set up to stop traffic because of his “deliberate mindset.”
After crashing his truck, the suspect fired his vehicle at police and shot two officers, Kirkpatrick said. He said that the condition of both is stable.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city of New Orleans “has been affected by the terrorist attack.”
The FBI said it was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. The FBI said improvised explosive devices were found, although the agency said it was working to confirm whether they were viable explosives.
According to a White House official, President Biden has been informed of the attack.
Kirkpatrick said dozens of injuries were being treated at local hospitals, as were the two injured officers.
Kirkpatrick said it was unclear how many of the victims were locals, but said preliminary information “appears to be mostly locals versus tourists.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the incident “a horrific act of violence” in a post on X and said he was praying for the victims.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell said in a statement on X: “Many of us are deeply saddened by the brutal lives of innocent people celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans this morning. Woke up to the devastating news of the murder. I am praying for the victims and their families They got justice for this horrible act.
Historic Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter, is a popular tourist area full of bars and restaurants and was expected to be busy on New Year’s Eve.
Footage captured by onlookers and uploaded to social media showed a heavy police presence on Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
Police said on Tuesday that they expect the city to be busy as locals and visitors ring in the New Year. The New Orleans Police Department said it would be 100 percent staffed and 300 more officers would be drafted to help keep the peace.
This is a developing story, check back here for updates soon..