A devastating attack unfolded in New Orleans on New Year’s Day when a driver crashed a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating the occasion and opened fire, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 35. The FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
“This individual intended to cause maximum destruction,” Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick stated during a televised press briefing. “He was determined to wreak havoc and inflict the damage we witnessed.”
The attack occurred at 2:15pm PKT (9:15am GMT) at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a prominent area in the French Quarter known for its vibrant music scene and popular tourist attractions.
Authorities reported that the driver fired at police and struck two officers with the vehicle after the crash. Both officers are in stable condition. The suspect was killed in a subsequent shootout with police, though officials have not yet disclosed their identity.
Councilman Oliver Thomas confirmed the suspect’s death and remarked, “As we seek answers to the motive behind this tragedy, let us remember that there is no rationalizing such evil.”
With over 300 officers deployed for New Year’s celebrations, including preparations for the Sugar Bowl football game and the upcoming NFL Super Bowl in February, law enforcement was already on high alert.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell condemned the attack, referring to it as a “terrorist act.” However, Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent with the FBI’s New Orleans office, initially stated, “This is not a terrorist event.” Later, the FBI clarified that the attack is being investigated as a possible terrorist act. Authorities also discovered a suspected improvised explosive device at the scene, which is being analyzed for viability.
Graphic video footage captured by a witness shows two lifeless bodies in the street, one lying in a pool of blood. In the chaotic scene, a bystander is seen tending to a victim as armed military personnel rush by.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, and the White House has offered federal support to local authorities.
Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the attack. A couple told CBS News they heard loud crashes before seeing a white pickup truck barreling through a barricade at high speed.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the event as “a horrific act of violence” and urged people to avoid the area.
Victims of the attack were transported to at least five hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.
New Orleans has experienced similar tragedies in the past. In November 2024, two shootings along a parade route left two people dead and 10 injured. In February 2017, an intoxicated driver plowed into a crowd during the Mardi Gras parade, injuring over 20 spectators.
This latest attack underscores the ongoing challenges New Orleans faces in ensuring public safety during its many cultural and celebratory events.
