A pickup truck driver “hellbent on carnage” killed at least 10 people as he sped through a crowd of New Year’s Eve revellers in New Orleans.
Police in the city have launched a potential terror investigation after the attack in Bourbon Street at about 3.15am local time on Wednesday (January 1).
According to the authorities, at least 30 people were injured in the French Quarter of the city where, moments before the attack, crowds had been enjoying New Year celebrations.
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said of the suspect: “He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”
Officials did not immediately provide an update on the condition of the driver, but ABC has reported he is dead.
Here is everything we know about the horrific attack so far.
The attack happened at 3.15am local time on Canal Street and Bourbon Street, New Orleans, which is famed as a major destination for New Year’s Eve parties.
A pickup truck driver sped past safety barriers, ploughing through a crowd of pedestrians. At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured, according to local authorities.
The driver allegedly fired a gun as he mowed people down, with witnesses saying they initially mistook the bangs for New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Officials have said the driver was shot and killed by police when he got out of the truck with an assault rifle. ABC reports two police officers were injured during the firefight. They are in a stable condition, according to Police Commissioner Kirkpatrick.
The injured were rushed to five hospitals: University Medical Center, Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus and Ochsner Baptist Campus. A police officer was among the injured.
Videos of the attack show hundreds of people scrambling for their lives in New Orleans, where crowds had also gathered for a Sugar Bowl college football play-off game at the nearby Superdome.
Whit Davis, 22, told CNN he was leaving a nightclub at the time of the attack. He said: “Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave.
“When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and were telling us to get out of the area fast. I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.”
The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, described what happened as a “terrorist attack”. The City of New Orleans said the incident was a “mass casualty incident”.
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
She said: “It was very intentional behaviour. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
The FBI said in a statement it was heading an investigation with its partners “to investigate this as an act of terrorism”.
Unconfirmed reports in the US said a black flag was attached to the pickup truck, leading some to claim the driver was acting for or a supporter of the terror group ISIS.
Police have been scouring the French Quarter for explosive devices, checking sewers and buildings in the neighbourhood.
Not a lot is known about the driver at this stage, but police and FBI officers will be focusing much of their investigation on who he was and his motivation. They will also be looking at whether the attacker was a lone wolf or had help.
Authorities in the city called in the FBI to help soon after the attack. A command centre was being set up. The involvement of the FBI has led some to suggest this signifies there may be a terror element to the incident.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver had tried to kill as many people as he could.
President Joe Biden has been briefed about the attack, with the White House offering support to the city’s mayor.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said: “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning.”
Questions have also been raised about how the truck driver was able to drive around barriers set up to ensure people’s safety.