Police attend the scene where a pickup truck drove into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. January 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
A driver in a pickup truck who officials said was “hell-bent on carnage” sped through a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, killing 10 and injuring 30 in an act being investigated as a New Year’s Day terrorist attack.
The attack occurred around 3.15 a.m. Wednesday (January 1, 2025) along Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and with crowds in the city ballooning in anticipation for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick. She said police officers would work to ensure safety at the Sugar Bowl, indicating that the game would go on as scheduled.
“It was very intentional behaviour. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” Ms. Kirkpatrick said.
Investigators have found a suspected improvised explosive device at the scene of a deadly truck ramming in New Orleans, the FBI said.
“We are working on confirming if this is a viable device or not,” Special Agent Alethea Duncan told a news conference after the attack.
At that hour, the area would been packed with revellers celebrating New Year in the French Quarter district, renowned for its bars, restaurants and jazz history.
CBS News television reported witnesses saying a truck rammed into the crowd before its driver jumped out and started exchanging gunshots with police.
A white truck crashed through a barricade “at a high rate of speed,” witnesses Jim and Nicole Mowrer told CBS.
“Once it was past us, we did hear gunfire, saw police running that direction,” Nicole Mowrer said.
“Once the gunfire stopped, we stayed in the alcove until the gunfire stopped, came out into the street, and came across a lot of — several people who had been hit, (we) wanted to see what we could do to help.
Authorities gave no immediate indication as to whether the car ramming was deliberate or any other indication as to the cause.
Policing was heavy over the New Year’s, according to the city, as authorities braced for the crowds.
The city police department had announced staffing at “100 percent, with an additional 300 officers assisting from partner law enforcement agencies,” including on horseback and using unmarked units.
The iconic French Quarter listed special deals for New Year’s, including LGBTQ parties and drag cabaret near where the incident took place.
(Inputs from AFP and AP)
Published – January 01, 2025 05:36 pm IST
