Man Plows Truck Into Crowd In New Orleans’ French Quarter, Mayor Calls It A ‘Terrorist Attack’

A man driving a white pickup truck plowed into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others in what the mayor described as a “terrorist attack.”

According to CBS News, the driver exited the vehicle after slamming into people celebrating New Year’s Day on Canal and Bourbon Street  around 3:15 am and began firing a weapon. Law enforcement reportedly returned fire. Two police officers were shot and are in stable condition. The suspect died after exchanging gunfire. The FBI has taken over the investigation.

Authorities have not identified the driver and said his actions were “intentional,” making clear “this was not a DUI situation.”

Mayor Cantrell calling this a terrorist attack. Happened at 3:15 am New Years Day. Man driving pickup at a very fast pace intentionally to hit as many people as he could @FOX8NOLA

— Meg Gatto (@MegGattoFOX8) January 1, 2025

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the situation a “terrorist attack” while addressing the media, however, moments later, an FBI spokesperson said it was “not a terrorist event.” Later in the morning, the FBI confirmed that it is investigating the attack as an “act of terrorism.”

“He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage he did,” said New Orleans Police Department chief Anne Kirkpatrick. She added that the driver was “trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”

FBI saying this is not yet a terrorist attack, still being investigated. Truck driver had explosive devices on him @FOX8NOLA

— Meg Gatto (@MegGattoFOX8) January 1, 2025

Kirkpatrick said the driver drove past barricades to get to the crowds. The security barriers, installed in 2017 to prevent terrorist attacks in the area, were reportedly “in the midst of being replaced.”

At least 30 individuals were transported to five different hospitals with injuries.

FBI New Orleans special agent-in-charge Alethea Duncan said at least one improvised explosive device (IED) was found at the scene but authorities had not confirmed if it was “a viable device,” Axios reported.

#BREAKING
NEW YEAR’S TRAGEDY ON BOURBON ST:

🔴Driver drove into the crowd along the street and gun fire erupted around 3 a.m.
🔴 10 people are dead, 35 are injured
🔴 Two officers were shot
🔴 City officials labeling this as a terrorist attack@FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/rPxw2QU3Yx

— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) January 1, 2025

Law enforcement is investigating whether the suspected driver used a long-gun rifle to fire into the crowd of pedestrians as he plowed into pedestrians.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said it was a “vicious attack on innocent people celebrating the New Year” and “an act of pure evil.”

Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry took to social media requesting prayers for the victims and first responders, describing the situation as “a horrific act of violence.”

A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning.

Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene.

I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 1, 2025

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