Truck Plows Through Crowd in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Leaving Devastation
Early Morning Attack Claims Lives and Injures Many
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a devastating attack occurred in New Orleans’ French Quarter, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life. A driver crashed his truck into a crowd at high speed, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 35, city officials and police said.
Police Chief Describes Chaos
"This man was trying to run over as many people as he could," Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a televised press conference on Wednesday. "He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did."
Incident Occurred during New Year’s Celebrations
The incident occurred at 3:15 a.m. at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a historic tourist destination in the city’s French Quarter, known for attracting large crowds with its music and bars. The city hosts the Sugar Bowl, a classic American college football game, each New Year’s Day.
Driver Fires at Police and Strikes Officers
Kirkpatrick said the driver fired at police and struck two police officers from the vehicle after it crashed. The officers are in stable condition, she added. More than 300 officers were on duty at the time of the incident.
FBI Not Classifying as Terrorist Attack
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the event a "terrorist attack" but was contradicted by an FBI official. Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said, "This is not a terrorist event." Duncan said a suspected improvised explosive device was found, and the FBI was working to determine if it was viable.
Verified Video Shows Gruesome Scene
Verified video taken by an onlooker shows at least two twisted bodies in the street, with one of them lying in what appears to be a puddle of blood. A bystander is seen kneeling over one of the bodies as a group of uniformed military personnel in green uniforms and carrying firearms runs past.
Governor Urges People to Stay Away from the Area
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said, "A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. I urge people to stay away from the area where the attack took place."
Injured Taken to Multiple Hospitals
The injured were taken to at least five different hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department. President Joe Biden’s White House said it had been in touch with the mayor to offer support.
Eyewitness Account
A couple told CBS News that they heard crashing noises coming from down the street and then saw a white truck slam through a barricade "at a high rate of speed."
New Orleans’ History of Shootings and Collisions with Crowds
New Orleans has experienced shootings and cars colliding with crowds at past parades. In November 2024, two people were killed and 10 injured in two separate shootings along a New Orleans parade route and celebration attended by thousands, local media reported. In February 2017, a man who police said appeared to be highly intoxicated plowed a pickup truck into a crowd of spectators watching the main Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, injuring more than 20 people.
Conclusion
The attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter has left the city reeling, with multiple lives lost and many more injured. As the investigation continues, the people of New Orleans are left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of this senseless act of violence.
FAQs
- What happened in the French Quarter on New Year’s Day?
A driver crashed his truck into a crowd at high speed, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 35. - What was the driver’s motive?
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the driver’s actions as "hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage that he did." - Is the FBI investigating the incident?
Yes, the FBI is investigating the incident, and officials have recovered a suspected improvised explosive device. - What is the current status of the injured?
The injured were taken to at least five different hospitals, and their conditions are reported to be stable.