In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a tragic incident occurred in the French Quarter of New Orleans. A driver, moving at high speed, crashed his truck into a crowd gathered at Canal and Bourbon Streets during New Year’s celebrations in what officials described as a deliberate act. Following the collision, the driver opened fire, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and injuring over 35 others, as confirmed by city officials and the police.
The attack unfolded at 3:15 a.m. amidst festivities on Bourbon Street, a popular tourist destination renowned for its vibrant nightlife and music. In a subsequent press conference, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick denounced the attack as a calculated and vicious attempt to cause maximum harm and destruction.
Among the injured were two police officers who were struck by gunfire from the driver after the vehicle wrecked. Both officers are reported to be in stable condition. At the time of the attack, more than 300 police officers were on duty in the area, partly due to the city’s hosting of the Sugar Bowl, a prominent college football event.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell termed the attack as a “terrorist act,” though this characterization was contested by the FBI. Alethea Duncan, an FBI official, stated that there was no indication of terrorism, although an improvised explosive device was discovered at the scene and was being examined for its potential threat.
Emergency responders rushed the injured to at least five different hospitals in New Orleans, as reported by NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department. In response to the chaos, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry urged the public to avoid the area, describing the scene of the attack as a site of appalling violence.
Footage captured by a bystander depicted the aftermath, showing bodies on the street and military personnel responding. President Joe Biden’s administration has been in contact with local officials to offer assistance following the tragedy.
The event echoes past incidents in New Orleans, where celebrations have been marred by violence, including a similar vehicular attack at a Mardi Gras parade in 2017 and shootings during a parade in late 2024.
