News/Commentary

‘Mass casualty’ in New Orleans after driver ‘very intentionally’ plows into celebratory crowd, opens fire

January 1, 2025 | | Print Article

The new year brought new tragedy to New Orleans as a “horrific act of violence” left at least ten people dead and dozens more injured on Bourbon Street.

A developing story called for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) to be in contact with the White House, governor’s office, and federal law enforcement as conflicting statements were released about a suspected “terrorist attack.”

Shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday, it was confirmed that a man driving a pickup truck had plowed down Bourbon Street with what New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described as “very intentional” efforts in “trying to run over as many people as he could.”

Video from the scene captured the tragedy as first responders rushed to aid victims left sprawled in the street as city officials had initially confirmed at least 10 fatalities and 30 injuries.

“There has been a mass casualty incident on Canal and Bourbon Street. Get yourself away from the area,” came the statement ahead of Kirkpatrick updating the number of injured to 35 with others as yet unconfirmed.

Additionally, it was detailed that the suspect had opened fire on NOPD after crashing his vehicle and that two officers had been shot, but were said to be in stable condition.

The police chief specified that the incident had not been a DUI and it was believed a majority of the victims were locals rather than tourists celebrating New Year’s or in town to see the Sugar Bowl matchup between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.

With more than 300 officers reported in the area at the time of the attack, Kirkpatrick asserted the perpetrator had been “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”

During Cantrell’s brief initial remarks, she relayed her contact with law enforcement and executives as she unequivocally referred to the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

However, when FBI Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan had her turn to speak as the agency took over the investigation, she insisted that it was not a terrorist event despite having located an improvised explosive device in the vehicle.

Much like the tragedy at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, reporting from the Associated Press saw fit to blame the vehicle rather than the as-yet-unidentified suspect in detailing, “Ten people were killed and 30 injured when a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ famed Canal and Bourbon Street in the first hours of New Year’s Day…”

A spokesperson for the mayor detailed that further updates would be provided throughout the day with briefings currently scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., subject to change.

In reacting to the tragedy, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) posted on X shortly after reporting began, “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”

Update: It’s currently being reported that the suspect was also shooting at the crowd before they were shot dead by police. The identity and description of the perpetrator is currently unknown or being withheld.

Kevin Haggerty
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