At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured after a pickup truck barreled through the French Quarter in New Orleans in what authorities are describing as a deliberate act of violence during New Year's celebrations.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a press conference.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” she said. “It was very intentional behavior.”
The attack left a trail of destruction. Police said the suspect bypassed barricades and fired on officers after crashing his vehicle. Two officers were shot but are in stable condition.
“He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that reports of injuries were still coming in.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell condemned the attack, calling it a “terrorist act” and saying that she has been in direct contact with the White House, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, and a unified command team that was operating on the scene.
“The city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack,” Cantrell said.
Landry described the incident in a post on social media as a “horrific act of violence.”
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.Authorities did not specify whether the perpetrator had been arrested or was still at large.
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