New Orleans latest: FBI says EV bloodbath on Bourbon Street that killed at least 10 was a terror attack

While an FBI special agent had said the tragedy was not ‘a terrorist event,’ the agency updated the public in a new statement.

‘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 FBI said 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.’

New Orleans police say today’s Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame will go ahead, despite a NYE ‘terrorist’ attack killing 10 people less than a mile from the stadium.

The electric vehicle used by the alleged New Orleans terrorist to plow into a crowd of revelers celebrating the New Year on Bourbon Street has sparked a mystery after a hidden object was spotted on the back of the SUV.

Officials said they believe that a mojority of the at least 35 people who were injured are New Orleans locals, and not tourists.

Several sources have revealed that the man who drove his truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street was killed after he exited his vehicle and started shooting.

Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said police officers would work to ensure safety at the Sugar Bowl, indicating that the game would go on as scheduled.

The suspect rammed a vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3.15am Wednesday along Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and with crowds in the city ballooning in anticipation for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.

The Republican called the attack ‘tragic’ on Wednesday morning.

Witness Jim Mowrer, who was visiting New Orleans, told CBS News he was in the middle of the road when the truck approached but managed to run for cover.

He then heard gunfire as police confronted the gunman.

Mowrer said he tried to help some of the victims before realizing they were dead.

Several sources have revealed that the man who drove his truck into the crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve was killed after he exited his vehicle and started shooting.

The gunman injured two NOLA police officers who are in stable condition.

Officials have not revealed any details about the gunman who killed at least 10 people early on Wednesday.

The White House said: ‘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 FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement in the investigation and the President will continue to be briefed throughout the day.’

The president is currently with his family in Wilmington, Delaware.

WDSU-TV is reporting that the suspect in the Bourbon Street attack was killed.

Police are yet to provide any information about the suspect, aside from his gender.

Authorities have not offered any information about the status of the man who they intentionally drove a truck into the crowd in Bourbon Street, killing 10.

It’s unclear if the suspect is alive after a shooting confrontation with police.

His age and identity also remain unclear.

Federal agents will lead the investigation into the New Year’s attack in New Orleans,

Officials said an improvised explosive device was found in the area.

While NOLA mayor LaToya Cantrell called the event a terror attack, FBI special agent Alethea Duncan then said ‘it’s not a terrorist event.’

Officials revealed Wedbesdagt morning that the suspect fired at police and hit two officers who are in stable condition.

The suspect was ‘hellbent on creating carnage,’ according to police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

‘It involved a man driving a pickup truck down bourbon street at a very fast pace,’ NOLA police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said in a press conference.

‘It was very intentional behavior… this man was trying to run as many people over as he could.’

The chief added that ‘this wasn’t a DUI situation.’

She confirmed 10 people were killed and more than 35 injured.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the tragedy a terror attack on Wednesday morning.

She asked the public to stay clear of the eight blocks surrounding Bourbon Street.

‘We do know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack,’ Cantrell said,

There was heightened security in the city, and specifically the famous French Quarter, when the attack happened Wednesday morning.

The New Orleans Police Department had said on Monday it would be staffed ‘at 100 percent’ and also have an additional 300 officers assisting.

In a statement, police said they would deply ‘a strong presence of marked and unmarked police vehicles, as well as officers on foot, bike, and horseback.’

Video shared on social media of the aftermath of the attack shows injured bodies lying on Bourbon street.

People are seen standing over the bodies, which are in pools of blood, seemingly in shock as officials with long guns run down the area.

Authorities in New Orleans have told people to stay away from Bourbon Street as they investigate the incident.

Eyewitnesses have spoken to US media about the moment an SUV crashed into crowds of pedestrians celebrating the New Year in Bourbon Street.

Speaking to CNN, Kevin Garcia, 22, said:

All I seen was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk. A body came flying at me.

Whit Davis, also 22, added:

Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave.

When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and were telling us to get out of the area fast. I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.

So far we’ve not had a statement from the New Orleans Police Department but we’ve heard from the city’s official disaster preparedness agency, NOLA Ready.

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.

A man, who claimed to witness the incident while on Bourbon Street with his wife, wrote on X that he saw an SUV ‘speeding’ down the road and ‘running people over’.

Another alleged witness told WLWT that she saw the vehicle strike the crowd and started running, claiming she only escaped ‘by the grace of god’.

The woman also claimed that multiple officers opened fire at the vehicle, trying to get the driver to stop, the TV news station reported.

Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, has reportedly been shut down while investigators work the scene.

DailyMail.com has contacted New Orleans Police Department for more information.

At least 10 people dead and 30 left injured after an SUV allegedly plowed into crowds celebrating New Year on a popular party street in New Orleans.

The driver rammed into a large group near the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street on Wednesday around 3.15am local time, city officials have confirmed.

Witnesses claim the suspect was ‘wearing full body armor’ and ‘armed with an assault rifle’, according to reports on social media.

Dozens of police officers have responded to what authorities have declared a ‘mass casualty event’ and a portion of the road has been cordoned off. Paramedics, ambulances and vehicles from the coroner’s office were also seen at the scene.

Ambulances have transported the wounded to area hospitals, the city added, and police are continuing to investigate the incident.