New Orleans attack latest: Suspect dead after ramming car into Bourbon Street crowd

New Orleans City Council member Freddie King III told WWL that he understood that the driver “had an accomplice.” This claim has not been confirmed by law enforcement.

The FBI is now leading this investigation.

The agency confirmed that the suspect drove a car into a crowd on Bourbon Street, then “engaged with local law enforcement” and is now deceased.

Two officers who were struck are in stable condition.

This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others. The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.

New Orleans Superintendent of Police Anne Kirkpatrick said that the perpetrator exhibited “very intentional behavior” by slamming into the crowd and that it was not a DUI, adding that the man shot at police officers after he crashed his vehicle, leaving two officers injured. Both officers that were shot are stable, according to Kirkpatrick.

“Last night, we had over 300 officers out here, and because of the intentional mindset of this perpetrator – who went around our barricades in order to conduct this. He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick added. She added that most of the casualties appeared to be local residents of the city and not tourists. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”

“Many of us woke up this morning to devastating news of the brutal intentional slaughter of innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans,” Liz Murrill, the state’s attorney general, wrote in a post on X on Wednesday morning.

“I’m praying for the victims and their families and will ensure they get justice for this appalling act. Please avoid the immediate area at this time and listen to the law enforcement officers who are still on the scene,” she added.

Sen. Bill Cassidy wrote on X.: “So tragic. Give thanks for the police officers responding. Remember the wounded and dead and their families.”

The suspect, who has not been identified, exhibited “very intentional behavior” when he plowed into a crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, just hours into the new year, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a press conference. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” she said.

After crashing his vehicle, the suspect fired off his weapon at police officers, striking two. Both officers are in stable condition and are receiving medical treatment, Kirkpatrick said.

As of Wednesday morning’s press conference, 10 people have died and more than 30 were injured. Most of the wounded individuals were taken to University Medical Center, while others were sent to Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus, or Ochsner Baptist Campus, police said.

Most victims appeared to be locals, not tourists, police said.

“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick added.

An improvised explosive device was found at the scene, according to the FBI, which has taken over the case.

“There were improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if it’s a viable device or not,” Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan said at the press conference.

While New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the mass killing as a “terrorist attack,” the FBI said it wasn’t a terrorist event.

The mayor also said she had been in contact with the White House.

Early on Wednesday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry condemned the attack in a post on X: “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.”

Both the governor and the FBI have urged locals to avoid Bourbon Street.

“President Biden has been briefed on the horrific news that a driver killed and injured dozens of individuals in New Orleans overnight and the White House has been in touch with New Orleans Mayor Cantrell to offer support,” the White House said in a statement.

“The FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement in the investigation and the President will continue to be briefed throughout the day.”

A New Year’s celebration in New Orleans was tragically interrupted when a car slammed into a crowd of revelers, killing 10 and injuring dozens more.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Bourbon Street when a suspect drove into people, New Orleans police said at a Wednesday morning press conference.

More than 30 others were injured in the attack and have been transported to hospitals. Authorities have urged locals to steer clear of Bourbon Street as an investigation continues.

Here’s everything we know about the tragedy and the driver:

A federal law enforcement official has told NBC News that the suspected driver who killed at least 10 people and injured dozens of others is believe to be dead.

The police and FBI did not give a status update on the suspect at the press conference this morning, but did say that the perpetrator shot and injured two police officers.

The identity and motives of suspect remain unknown. The FBI has taken over investigation of the violent incident that took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning.