At least ten people were killed in a car-ramming attack in a tourist area of New Orleans, in the midst of New Year’s celebrations. Police say the driver was determined “to cause carnage.”
At least ten people were killed in a vehicle-ramming attack in a tourist area of New Orleans, targeting people celebrating the New Year, during which two police officers were also shot and injured.
· At least 10 dead and 35 injured, suspect killed
The driver of a pick-up plowed into a crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35 others, according to the municipal management in charge of emergencies, in a press release. According to American media, including CNN, the suspect is dead.
The attack took place in the middle of the night, around 3:15 a.m. local time in a crowded area where revelers were celebrating the New Year between Canal and Bourbon Street, in the historic and festive neighborhood known as the French Quarter. French). Renowned for its restaurants, bars and jazz clubs, this district is also home to cabarets and places welcoming people from the LGBT community.
The perpetrator of the attack also opened fire on police officers, two were injured. “This man, the perpetrator, shot at our officers from his vehicle when he crashed. Two of them were hit. Their condition is stable,” said local police chief Anne Kirkpatrick.
A white truck crossed a barricade “at high speed,” witnesses Jim and Nicole Mowrer told CBS. “Once he passed us, we heard gunshots, we saw the police running in that direction,” Nicole Mowrer said.
“Once the gunshots stopped, we stayed hidden until the gunshots stopped, we went out into the street and we met a lot of people who had been hit, we wanted to see what we could do to help them,” she added.
· An “intentional” act
The perpetrator of the attack wanted to “crush 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.
“This was not a case of driving under the influence of alcohol. It was more complex and more serious, based on the information we currently have,” she added.
“His behavior was completely intentional. This man was trying to run over as many people as possible,” continued Anne Kirkpatrick.
However, FBI agent Aletha Duncan said it was not a “terrorist event,” adding that authorities found “improvised explosive devices.”
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.
· The mayor denounces “a terrorist attack”, the governor a “horrible” act
Contrary to the FBI, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell claimed during a press conference that her city was “hit by a terrorist attack.”
On
US President Joe Biden has been “informed” of the situation, according to a statement released by the White House. “President Biden was briefed on the terrible news that a driver killed and injured dozens of people in New Orleans overnight and the White House reached out to the Mayor of New Orleans to offer his support,” according to the press release.
