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At least 10 people are dead and more than 30 others injured in New Orleans after a driver rammed into a crowd during New Year’s celebrations early Wednesday. 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 and said people were hurt in a “mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street.”
Authorities are also investigating multiple suspected improvised explosive devices linked to the attack — the FBI said it was not known if they are viable explosives but urged the public to avoid the area.
A federal law enforcement official has told NBC News that the suspect is believed to be dead.
According to a White House official, President Biden has been briefed on the attack.
“We do 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 touch with the White House.
Anne Kirkpatrick, superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, said the suspect intentionally drove a pickup truck along Bourbon Street with the aim of causing mass casualties.
The suspect drove around barricades erected to stop traffic entering Bourbon Street, due to his “intentional mindset,” Kirkpatrick said, adding he was “hellbent on creating carnage.”
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could. It was not a DUI situation,” she said.
The dozens injured were being treated in local hospitals, as were the two injured officers, who were in a stable condition, she said.
Kirkpatrick said it was unclear how many victims were locals, but said that according to preliminary information “it seems the majority are locals versus tourists.”
Contrary to the mayor’s use of the term, FBI special agent Alethea Duncan, who is taking over the investigation, said “this is not a terrorist event.” The federal law enforcement official later said that the incident was being investigated as a potential terrorist act and the special agent was just being cautious.
Louisiana Gov. 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 Murrill said a statement on X: “Many of us woke up this morning to devastating news of the brutal intentional slaughter of innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. I’m praying for the victims and their families and will ensure they get justice for this appalling 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.
Footage shot by onlookers and uploaded to social media showed a huge police presence on Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
Police said Tuesday that they expected the city to be busy as locals and visitors rang in the new year. New Orleans Police Department said it would be staffed at 100% and would draft in another 300 officers to help keep the peace.
This is a developing story, check back here for updates soon.