‘TERRORIST ATTACK’ KILLS AT LEAST 10 ON NEW ORLEANS’ BOURBON STREET

Wed 01 January 2025:

At least 10 people were killed and 30 others injured when a man plowed his truck into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans’ popular French Quarter, local officials said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at around 3.15 a.m. (0915GMT) at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street, according to a statement posted on the city’s website. The injured have been transported to five nearby hospitals.

At least 10 killed, 35 injured in New Orleans as a pickup truck plows into New Year crowd in Bourbon Street, New Orleans

The vehicle drove into crowds at high speed before the driver exited and opened fire. pic.twitter.com/VFo0pDseT5

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) January 1, 2025

The historic area is popular with tourists, and is a hotspot for celebrations around major holidays, especially New Year’s Eve.

Multiple news outlets reported that the suspect is dead, citing anonymous law enforcement sources.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the fatal incident during a news conference as a “terrorist attack.” An FBI official who briefed reporters alongside Cantrell said at least one improvised explosive device was found, and that agents were seeking to determine whether it was a “viable device or not.”

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The attacker also opened fire from his vehicle after it crashed, striking two officers, police said, adding that they are in stable condition. The FBI, which is taking the lead on the investigation, said in a statement that the suspect “is now deceased.”

The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, drove around a series of barricades erected by police to protect partygoers, New Orleans Police Department Anne Kirkpatrick said, describing the driver as having an “intentional mindset.”

According to the Fox News the truck used in the Bourbon Street attack had a Texas license plate and crossed the southern border just days ago.

Two federal law enforcement sources who were not authorized to speak publicly said the pickup truck used in the attack was tracked crossing the southern border into the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, two days ago.

It has not been confirmed that the attacker was driving the vehicle when it crossed the border. Police have also not confirmed the attacker’s immigration status.

“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” she said. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could. It was not a DUI situation.”

She was referring to driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated.

The White House said US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the “horrific news that a driver killed and injured dozens of individuals in New Orleans overnight.” The White House has been in contact with Cantrell to offer its support.

President-elect Trump called the Bourbon Street attack an “act of pure evil” in a statement on the incident Wednesday.

“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,” Trump said.

“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!”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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