At least ten people were killed in a vehicle-ramming attack in a tourist area of New Orleans targeting people celebrating the New Year. Two police officers were also shot and injured during the intervention.
The driver of a pick-up drove into the crowd, trying to “run over as many people as he could”, a police official in the American city, Anne Kirkpatrick, told the press. “He was fiercely determined to cause carnage,” she insisted. At least ten people were killed and thirty-five injured, according to the municipal management in charge of emergencies.
Authorities have not provided any information about the man who was driving the pickup. His state of health and whereabouts were not immediately specified.
Two police officers injured
The attack took place in the middle of the night, around 3:15 a.m. (10:15 a.m. in Switzerland), in a crowded area where people were celebrating the New Year, between Canal and Bourbon Street, in the historic and festive district, known as “French Quarter” (French quarter).
Renowned for its restaurants, bars and jazz clubs, this district is also home to cabarets and places welcoming people from the LGBT community.
CBS News cited witnesses as saying a vehicle drove into the crowd at “high speed” before its driver jumped out and began firing a gun, prompting a police response. Two police officers were shot and injured in the attack, police confirmed.
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Reinforced police presence at New Year
New Orleans is one of the most visited destinations in the United States and the incident occurred shortly before the city hosted a major American football game, the Sugar Bowl, between the teams of the University of Georgia and Notre Dame.
According to the municipality, the number of law enforcement officers had been increased during the New Year period, with the authorities preparing for a large crowd in the streets.
The city’s police department had announced “full strength, assisted by 300 additional officers from partner law enforcement agencies”, including on horseback and patrolling in unmarked units.
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