10 Killed As Vehicle Plows Into New Orleans Crowd, FBI Probes 'Act Of Terrorism'

Last Updated:January 01, 2025, 21:57 IST

A vehicle struck a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street on Wednesday, leaving ten dead and 30 others injured.

Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Ten people were killed and 30 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street on Wednesday, news agency Associated Press said, citing NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.

New Orleans police earlier said they were responding to a mass casualty incident, including fatalities.

The incident happened in the early hours of the morning. The local media outlets said that there are unconfirmed reports that the man was wearing body armour and used an assault rifle. CBS later in an update said that the driver was killed, without specifying how he died.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell initially described the incident as a “terrorist attack". The FBI initially contradicted her but now is probing the ramming as a terrorist attack.

Duncan also confirmed that “improvised explosive devices" were found at the scene, and authorities are working to determine if they are “viable" devices. She said that the public should avoid the area until the situation is fully understood. Meanwhile, the city remains on high alert, with people advised to stay clear of the 8-block zone near Bourbon Street.

Biden Briefed, Trump Reacts

US President Joe Biden said he was being briefed by the federal law enforcement leadership and his homeland security team and the Mayor of New Orleans.

“The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism. I am grateful for the brave and swift response of local law enforcement in preventing even greater death and injury. I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind," Biden said, as per a statement released by the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump said that his claims on the soaring crime rate in the country were true but were constantly denied by Democrats and the media.

“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true. The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social, a social media site he owns.

US-based broadcaster CBS reported that a pickup truck was used in the attack, while local news outlets and witnesses on social media suggested it was an SUV. The vehicle plowed into a crowd gathered in one of the city’s busiest areas. Witnesses claimed the driver then exited the vehicle, opened fire on the crowd, and was met with return gunfire from the police on the scene.

The street in central New Orleans where the attack happened was packed with party-goers celebrating New Year and has a live jazz band playing outside a bar.

Jim Mowrer, a US Army veteran, was on Bourbon Street with his wife when the incident occurred. He later posted on X, describing an SUV “speeding and running people over."

“Was on bourbon street in New Orleans went my wife tonight about 20 minutes ago. SUV came down speeding and running people over. Mass casualty event, tried to first aid but most were dead. Estimate double digit deaths," he said.

The injured were rushed to five hospitals in New Orleans.

FBI Takes Over Investigation

The incident occurred towards the end of the New Year celebrations in the city, just hours before the AllState Bowl, a college football quarterfinal at the Caesars Superdome, where thousands were expected to gather.

The FBI will now lead the investigation into the incident in New Orleans, according to police officials. Despite over 300 officers being present, the perpetrator deliberately bypassed barricades, they said, and added that his actions appeared “intentional". The officials described the individual as “hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage he did."

New Orleans

News world 10 Killed As Vehicle Plows Into New Orleans Crowd, FBI Probes 'Act Of Terrorism'