At least 10 people are dead and dozens injured after a driver plowed a car into a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, according to authorities.
The driver, a male, reportedly exited the vehicle and fired a weapon after hitting the crowd. Police say 35 people have been transported to five hospitals across the city after suffering injuries from the attack.
The suspect is confirmed to be dead at the scene, Fox News has learned. Police say he was killed in a shootout with officers. Two officers were injured in the attack, but both remain in stable condition.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell declared the incident a “terrorist attack” in a Wednesday morning briefing. FBI agents also confirmed that they are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
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“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,” the FBI said in a statement Wednesday morning.
The White House confirmed that President Biden has been briefed on the attack in a statement Wednesday morning.
“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. “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 incident happened around 3:15 a.m. at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Iberville, local news station WGNO reported.
Former FBI Special Agent Chris Swecker told Fox News Digital that New Orleans has “always been a problematic police department.”
“This type of event is indeed predictable, and it is fundamental that you protect the highest concentration of people at the event. You have to question how a truck got through the perimeter. I can see a lone gunman getting through, it’s hard to fathom a truck breaching that perimeter. I suspect they were protecting the perimeter with wooden barriers,” Swecker said.
“I can guarantee you in Times Square last night they were protecting that perimeter with vehicles and solid objects. Security is a tough thing when you haven’t had an event like this in your Venue in a while but the fact is this has happened twice in New Orleans since 2017,” he added.
Prior to the Wednesday morning attack, the New Orleans Police Department had said they would be all hands on deck for security throughout the city on New Year’s Eve, in addition to bringing 300 addition officers from elsewhere in the state.
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Police also noted that they were ramping up security for the Sugar Bowl, which is set to take place later Wednesday.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement.
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Police have not confirmed the total number of victims involved in the incident.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement, “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.”
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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