New Orleans suspect shot dead after 10 killed in vehicle attack; FBI says event an 'act of terrorism'

The driver of the pickup truck, who drove the vehicle into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans killing 10 people and injuring over 35, was shot dead after exchanging gunfire with police, according to The Guardian report, citing a senior law enforcement source briefed on the attack.

The driver was equipped with a rifle, a helmet and body armor, added the report.

The deadly incident, which is being investigated as an “act of terrorism” by the FBI, took place at around 3:15 am (0915 GMT) in the heart of the city’s famous French Quarter, which was packed with people celebrating the arrival of 2025, reported AFP.

“The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street. There are 30 injured patients that have been transported by NOEMS (New Orleans Emergency Medical Services) and 10 fatalities. Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as they are received,” the city’s official disaster preparedness agency, NOLA Ready, said in a preliminary statement.

According to a CNN report, all the injured were sent to five hospitals across the city.

US media outlet CBS News said witnesses said a truck rammed into the crowd at “high speed” before its driver jumped out and started firing a weapon, with police returning fire.

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US police said the driver tried to “run over as many people as he possibly could”.

The driver “was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did”, AFP quoted Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick as saying to journalists.

The driver also shot and wounded two police officers.

“This man, this perpetrator, he fired on our officers from his vehicle when he crashed his vehicle. Two of our officers have been shot. They are stable,” said Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick said the truck had been driven at “very high speed” and in a “very intentional” manner.

US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, called New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer “full federal support” after the deadly truck-ramming attack.

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Biden has been briefed by FBI and Homeland Security officials on what the White House called a “horrific” attack.

The FBI said it was investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and confirmed the suspected assailant was dead.

“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,” AFP quoted the FBI as saying in a statement.

“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,” the statement added.

New Orleans is one of the most heavily visited destinations in the United States and the incident came shortly before the city hosts a major football game, known as the Sugar Bowl, featuring teams from the University of Georgia and Notre Dame.

Policing was heavy over the New Year’s, according to the city, as authorities braced for big crowds.

The city police department had announced staffing at “100 percent, with an additional 300 officers assisting from partner law enforcement agencies,” including on horseback and using unmarked units.

The iconic French Quarter listed special deals for New Year’s, including LGBTQ parties and a drag cabaret nearby where the incident took place.

With inputs from agencies