NEW ORLEANS (NewsNation) — Ten people were killed and 35 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning in what the FBI is investigating as “an act of terrorism.”
Deadly Bourbon Street attack
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said two police officers were shot in what Mayor LaToya Cantrell described earlier Wednesday as a “terrorist attack.” The FBI said it is “the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
The New Orleans Police Department said officers responded to reports of a vehicle driving into a crowd at 3:17 a.m. Multiple people were hit before the vehicle crashed.
After the vehicle came to a stop, New Orleans police say the suspect opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was shot and declared dead on the scene, authorities said. The suspect’s name and motive were not provided at this time.
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
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New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Emergency services attend the scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
The scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
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Emergency services attend the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) -
Superintendent of Police for the New Orleans Police Department Anne Kirkpatrick makes a statement after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The White House said President Joe Biden received a briefing on the attack and has been in touch with Mayor Cantrell.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry addressed the situation in a social media post on X Wednesday morning:
“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.”
The incident came toward the end of New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans and hours before the kickoff of the AllState Sugar Bowl, a college football quarterfinal held in the city’s Caesars Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.
City Councilmember Oliver Thomas told NewsNation he had been visiting victims and first responders at the emergency room.
“Our main concern right now is the condition of the victims … the officers who are involved in this grave, very unfortunate act,” he said.
As the investigation continues, people in New Orleans have been urged to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Street and also east of Royal Street to west to Dauphine Street. Anyone looking to connect with loved ones believed to have been in the area at the time of the incident is urged to call 311, not 911.
Presidential statements
President Biden in a statement mourned the loss of the victims.
“I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” it read in part.
President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement grieving the victims and praising law enforcement.
“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,” it read in part.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.