The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the biggest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and as crowds in the city swelled in anticipation of the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later today.
“He was determined to do the carnage and the damage that he caused,” Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said.
Authorities did not immediately provide an update on the driver’s status, the continuing threat to the public or the suspected motive for the deadly attack early Wednesday at the corner of famed Canal and Bourbon streets.
Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said authorities were investigating the discovery of at least one suspicious improvised explosive device at the scene.
NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness service, said the injured were taken to five local hospitals. A police officer was among the injured.
