A pickup truck sped down Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day, killing 10 people and injuring at least 30 others in what New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described as a “terrorist attack.” Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed the incident began at 3:15 a.m. local time and involved a driver who displayed “very intentional behaviour,” aiming to strike as many individuals as possible.
Witnesses reported that the driver fired on police officers while still inside the vehicle, injuring two officers, who are now in stable condition.Authorities returned fire before apprehending the suspect. Kirkpatrick described the event as deliberate and coordinated, with investigations underway to uncover the driver’s motive.
Nicole Mowrer, a tourist from Iowa, told CBS News that she and her husband were just a block away from the attack. “We heard crashing noises, then gunfire,” she said. While attempting to assist injured victims, she noted many had fatal injuries from the truck’s impact. Emergency responders arrived shortly after, tending to the wounded and cordoning off the area.
New Orleans police and local officials confirmed the strike appeared to be deliberate. Governor Jeff Landry condemned the attack as a “horrific act of violence,” offering prayers for the victims and first responders.
What we know about the attacker
- Intentional act: Police confirmed the truck’s collision with the crowd was deliberate, calling it a “mass casualty incident.”
- Weapons involved: Witnesses and officials stated the attacker exited the truck and began firing a weapon.
- Casualties and injuries: Ten people were killed, and 30 others sustained injuries. The injured were transported to five local hospitals, including University Medical Center and East Jefferson General Hospital.
- Officers wounded: Two police officers were shot and hospitalised but are in stable condition.
- Investigation underway: The suspect was not immediately taken into custody, and authorities are actively investigating the motive and circumstances of the attack.
Also read: 10 dead, 30 injured as vehicle hits crowd in New Orleans; mayor terms it ‘terrorist attack’
