after the car-ramming attack, the French community of New Orleans in shock

In the aftermath of the deadly attack that hit New Orleans in the middle of the New Year, French expatriates report a heavy atmosphere in a city that is usually very lively.

The awakening was brutal on this Wednesday, January 1, 2025 for Elise, who lives in New Orleans. She quickly heard about the tragedy that shook the city in the middle of New Year's Eve. A car rammed into the crowd celebrating the New Year, leaving at least 15 dead and around 30 injured.

The assailant, a 42-year-old former soldier, then got out of the vehicle to open fire on Bourbon Street, before being shot dead by police.

This horror scene took place in the heart of the city's French Quarter. Originally from Nancy, Élise, who now lives two kilometers from the tragedy, wanted to leave her house on Tuesday to chat with her neighbors. The teacher describes a heavy atmosphere: “It's really a shock, something so huge on a day like this… I don't really know how to react, we are all helpless“, she confides.

Usually, Élise avoids the Bourbon Street area, whose very touristy main street is full of restaurants and bars and is sometimes the scene of score-settling. This street is also very touristy and full of restaurants and bars.

Targeting such a place is not trivial according to Karim, a French guide in New Orleans for six years. “It's hard for people today because we are touching on an area of ​​freedom like very few in the world.he explains. For the locals, I think it's symbolic“.

Despite the trauma, the inhabitants' capacity for resilience will quickly take over, according to the original Tarnais: “New Orleans really has a very strong community“. He particularly evokes the resilience of the population, still marked by Hurricane Katrina.

“We are not in a city where we are going to leave people alone in their sadness or in their problems”

Karim, French guide in New Orleans

at franceinfo

The two French people have already observed messages published on social networks to organize masses in tribute to the victims.