Tragedy Strikes French Quarter as Driver Targets New Year’s Revelers
New Orleans experienced a devastating attack early on New Year’s Day when a driver rammed a truck into a crowd along Canal and Bourbon Streets, killing 10 people and injuring 35 others. The FBI has launched an investigation, treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
The attack occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. in the bustling French Quarter, a popular destination for holiday celebrations. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver exited and opened fire on responding police officers, leading to a shootout that left the suspect dead. Two officers were wounded but are in stable condition, according to law enforcement officials.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Explosives
Authorities are combing the area for potential explosive devices. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan confirmed that at least one suspected improvised explosive device is under investigation. Law enforcement officials are withholding further details as inquiries continue.
At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell labeled the incident a “terrorist attack,” emphasizing the deliberate nature of the act. Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick described the attacker’s actions as calculated and intentional.
“This individual was determined to cause as much devastation as possible,” said Kirkpatrick. “He was targeting innocent people in a deliberate act of mass violence.”
Eyewitness Accounts of Horror
Witnesses recounted the chaos that unfolded in the French Quarter, a district teeming with visitors preparing for Wednesday night’s Sugar Bowl college football playoff game between Georgia and Notre Dame. The Superdome, located nearby, went into lockdown as a precaution.
Kevin Garcia, 22, described the harrowing moment he saw the truck slam into pedestrians. “A body came flying at me,” he told CNN. Another witness, Whit Davis, recounted the panic as he fled a nightclub. “When they let us out, police directed us to leave quickly. I saw bodies on the street and people receiving first aid,” said Davis, also 22.
Emergency Response and Federal Attention
The city’s emergency preparedness department confirmed that the injured were transported to five local hospitals. Meanwhile, the White House stated that President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland had been briefed on the incident.
The attack highlights a troubling trend of vehicles being used as weapons in mass violence. Similar attacks in Germany, Manhattan, and Charlottesville have underscored the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such tragedies.
Community Shock and Mourning
The French Quarter, known for its vibrant culture and history, now bears the scars of an act of terror. As investigators work to piece together the events, New Orleans grieves for the lives lost and those forever changed by the attack.