Source: CBS News
Ten people were killed and dozens injured early Wednesday when a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter as revelers were celebrating the new year, officials said. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the man drove around barricades and hurtled down Bourbon Street in “very intentional behavior” before opening fire on officers.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that two police officers were hit by gunfire but were in a stable condition.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell referred to it as a likely “terrorist attack,” but Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan with New Orleans FBI, who spoke along with the other officials Wednesday morning, did not characterize it that way. The officials did not provide any information about the man who drove the truck, and his condition and whereabouts were not immediately clear.
The popular tourist district was full of New Year’s Day revelers at the time of the apparent attack.
The City of New Orleans said in a statement posted online that 30 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries and 10 people were confirmed dead. Kirkpatrick later said that at least 35 people were hospitalized.
Duncan said that possible improvised explosives were also found nearby, but said it was unclear if they were related. No other information was given.
Duncan said the FBI will be leading the investigation. President Biden was briefed about the attack, the White House said, and his administration has been in touch with Cantrell to offer support.
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