An unidentified pickup truck driver rammed into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter and opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring over 35.
According to reports, the incident occurred at 3:15 a.m. (0915 GMT) at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a historic tourist hub in the French Quarter known for its music, bars, and large crowds. During the investigation, the FBI described the early-morning attack as a potential act of terrorism in the heavily populated American city of Louisiana.
Reports further indicate that the suspect swerved through barricades and repeatedly fired at police officers before being killed in an exchange of gunfire.
Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick stated during a televised press conference, “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could; he was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”
The FBI, in its ongoing investigation, revealed that the incident was planned as a terrorist attack, citing the discovery of a suspected improvised explosive device. However, no further details were provided.
