USA-Ten dead in car-ramming attack in New Orleans
par Brian Thevenot
A man drove a pickup into the crowd on Tuesday night, killing at least ten people and injuring more than 35 in the Old French Square of New Orleans, an attack that could, according to the FBI, be considered an act of terrorism.
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas. He was killed during an exchange of fire with the police and could have acted in concert with other people, law enforcement representatives said.
The attack occurred on Bourbon Street, a historic thoroughfare in New Orleans known for its bars, around 3:15 a.m. (9:15 a.m. GMT).
An Islamic State group flag was found in the vehicle and the FBI is investigating possible links to terrorist organizations, the agency said in a statement.
Weapons and potentially explosive devices were found in the vehicle, which was believed to have been rented, and other explosive devices were found in the French Vieux Carré, the FBI said.
The official death toll is ten people, it was confirmed after a congressman said the number of victims could be higher.
“This is not just an act of terrorism, this is pure evil,” New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a news conference.
“This man wanted to crush as many people as possible,” she said earlier.
The driver drove around the barriers preventing access to Bourbon Street and drove into the crowd gathered to celebrate the New Year before opening fire on police officers, injuring two, Anne Kirkpatrick said.
“HORRIBLE ACT”
A video verified by Reuters shows bodies lying in the street. In the images, a passerby can be seen kneeling near one of them as a group of soldiers run past.
The injured were taken to at least five hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, New Orleans' emergency preparedness department.
“A horrible act occurred on Bourbon Street this morning,” Louisiana State Governor Jeff Landry wrote on X.
US President Joe Biden offered federal support to the city after the attack.
President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement that the incoming US administration “will fully support the city of New Orleans during the investigation and as it recovers from this act of absolute evil.”
“New Orleans, so dear to the hearts of the French, is hit by terrorism,” reacted French President Emmanuel Macron on the social network to the American people whose pain we share.”
The municipality was in the process of replacing barriers that restrict vehicle access to the Bourbon Street pedestrian zone.
(With Nilutpal Timsina in Banglaore and David Shepardson in Washington, written by Matt Spetalnick and Daniel Trotta; French version Nicolas Delame and Camille Raynaud)
