Federal law enforcement is investigating a mass-casualty incident in New Orleans as an “act of terrorism” after a truck plowed into crowds on a popular nightlife street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation, said Wednesday that the man who rampaged through New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter has died after killing 10 people and wounding dozens more.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick called the attack “highly deliberate” during a news conference Wednesday, suggesting the attacker was “intent on creating the carnage and damage that he did.”
The man drove a pickup truck at high speed into the crowd around 3:15 a.m. before crashing it and then opening fire on police, shooting two officers, who are in stable condition. The attacker was killed in a shootout, the FBI said.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland called the incident a “terrible tragedy” and the Justice Department pledged to use “every available resource” to investigate.
“My heart is broken for those who began their year knowing that their loved ones were killed in this horrific attack,” Garland said. “My prayers are with the dozens who were injured, including the New Orleans Police Department officers who risked their lives to save others.”
The injured were taken to five local hospitals, according to the city’s emergency preparedness agency, NOLA Reedy.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is also involved in the investigation. Officials are investigating at least one suspected explosive device at the scene, according to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan.
President Biden The White House said Wednesday that he had been briefed on the incident and would continue to do so throughout the day.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holidays,” Biden said in a message. A statement posted on social media platform X added: “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
Bourbon Street is known for its nightlife, and the city was also bracing for large crowds to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city also expected an influx of visitors to attend the Sugar Bowl football game between Georgia and Notre Dame at Caesars Superdome, scheduled for Wednesday.
Kirkpatrick said the suspect had bypassed police barricades set up around the busy area.
In the wake of the attack, elected officials nationwide and in Louisiana mourned the victims in statements posted online.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) called the incident a “horrific act of violence” and offered prayers for the victims and first responders at the scene. State Attorney General Liz Morrell (R) lamented the “brutal, deliberate slaughter of innocent people” celebrating the New Year in New Orleans and urged people to avoid the immediate area.
President-elect Trump has railed against America’s crime rate and blamed Democrats and the media for discrediting his claims that “the criminals coming in are far worse than the ones we have in our country.” Law enforcement has yet to release any details about the assailant, such as his nationality.
“Our hearts go out to all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as it investigates and recovers from this act of pure evil!”
The Justice Department’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana will assist federal and local law enforcement in the investigation.
