Update – 9:20 a.m. Eastern:
The FBI New Orleans office has now issued a statement indicating the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others. The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.
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Update – 8:55 a.m. Eastern:
Additional details are coming out regarding the driver. We know it was a man, and he is confirmed dead. The man shot at police officers and struck two. Thankfully, they are in stable condition.
A man driving a pickup truck down Bourbon Street “at a very fast pace” killed 10 people and fired on New Orleans Police officers, striking two who are in stable condition, police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said Wednesday morning.
Authorities are investigating possible IEDs at the scene as well.
As the investigation continues into the deadly scene of a truck mowing through pedestrians in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, federal law enforcement agents are also checking on possible improvised explosives at the scene.
“There were improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if it’s a viable device or not,” said Alethea Duncan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s New Orleans office.
Original story:
There are reports of a mass casualty event out of New Orleans early Wednesday morning. An as-yet unidentified driver plowed a white truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street at approximately 3:15 a.m., leaving at least ten people dead and dozens injured.
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The driver reportedly then exited the vehicle and began firing a weapon. Police returned fire, and the suspect was killed as well.
🚨#UPDATE: Officials have confirmed that at least 10 people have been killed, and 30 others have been injured after vehicle driven into crowd in New Orleans, city the motive is currently unknown at this time
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 1, 2025
The incident took place as revelers were celebrating the New Year in the French Quarter.
Jim and Nicole Mowrer were in New Orleans visiting from Iowa and witnessed the incident. Nicole told CBS News they had watched the city’s fireworks display and were enjoying the New Year’s Day atmosphere in the French Quarter when they heard crashing noises coming from down the street. They said they then saw a white truck slam through a barricade “at a high rate of speed.”
The Mowrers said they heard gunshots after the crashing noises and went to try to help people they found wounded, but realized the victims had died.
“We were pretty, pretty close to where it started,” she said, estimating that the truck hit people only about a block away from where they had been walking.
“Once it was past us, we did hear gunfire, saw police running that direction,” Nicole 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.”
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has characterized the incident as a terrorist attack.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry released a statement about the incident on X.
A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning.
Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene.
I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 1, 2025
A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning.
Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene.
I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.
There are now reports of a suspicious package in the area also being investigated, as well as indications that the death toll may have climbed to 12.
🚨#UPDATE: Police are now investigating a suspicious package at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans following the ramming incident, with authorities stating that the vehicle hitting the crowd on Bourbon Street appeared to be intentional with the number raised to 12 deaths
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 1, 2025
#UPDATE: Police are now investigating a suspicious package at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans following the ramming incident, with authorities stating that the vehicle hitting the crowd on Bourbon Street appeared to be intentional with the number raised to 12 deaths
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This is a developing story. RedState will provide additional information as it becomes available.
