At least 10 killed after man drives vehicle into crowd in New Orleans

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At least 10 people were killed and 35 others were injured after a man plowed his car into a large crowd in the heart of New Orleans in an attack that the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism.”

The attack occurred early on New Year’s Day along Bourbon Street in Louisiana’s largest city, one of the main streets of the historic French Quarter, which is full of bars, restaurants and music venues, and attracts local and international visitors.

At about 3:15 a.m. local time, a man drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street “at a very fast pace,” said New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

“It was very deliberate behaviour. This man was trying to run over as many people as possible,” Kirkpatrick added. “He was intent on creating the carnage and the damage he did.”

Kirkpatrick said two police officers were shot by the driver and are in stable condition. The FBI later issued a statement saying that the shooter and the attacker were dead.

“This morning, a person drove his car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several people and injuring dozens of others. The person then interacted with local law enforcement and is now deceased, the FBI said. He added: “The FBI is the lead investigating agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”

LaToya Cantrell, Mayor new orleans, He said that the city was affected by a “terrorist attack,” without providing further details.

“What I ask at this time is for prayers for those who lost their lives in the city of New Orleans due to this tragedy,” she said.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden “has been briefed on the horrific news.” “The FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement in the investigation and the President will continue to be briefed throughout the day,” she added.

An improvised explosive device was found at the scene of the attack, Alithea Duncan, assistant special agent for the FBI in New Orleans, told reporters. Duncan said the FBI was working to confirm whether the device was “usable.”

New Orleans is often packed with visitors during the holidays, but the city was especially crowded on New Year’s Eve this year due to the Sugar Bowl game scheduled for Wednesday between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame.

The sporting event was expected to go ahead as scheduled despite the attack, but local officials asked people to avoid the area where the event took place.