A man drove his pickup truck into a crowd during a New Year’s celebration in New Orleans early Wednesday morning and opened fire on police during the crash, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 30, authorities said. .
Authorities say the suspect, now deceased, intentionally drove his Ford pickup truck into a large group of people partying on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m., in what the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism. are.
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas.
Authorities found an ISIS flag, weapons and possible improvised explosive devices in the truck, which appears to have been rented, the FBI said.
The agency said it does not believe the suspect committed the crime alone. The FBI said it is working to determine the suspect’s potential ties or ties to terrorist organizations.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as possible,” New Orleans Police Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick said at a news conference. “He was fully committed to creating carnage and damage.”
Kirkpatrick said the suspect bypassed barricades set up to stop traffic and climbed onto the sidewalk. “We did have a plan, but the terrorists defeated it,” she said.
Kirkpatrick and the FBI said the suspect crashed the truck, got out of his vehicle, shot two police officers, and was in stable condition.
Three officers returned fire, killing the suspect, Kirkpatrick said.
Jimmy Cothran, who witnessed the massacre from the balcony of a nightclub, said within seconds he saw bodies lying on the road, some “heavily disfigured” and others with tire marks. He said it also contained dead bodies.
“It was unbelievable,” he told NBC News’ Harry Jackson. “It went on forever.”
Federal agents and local law enforcement in New Orleans are investigating whether the suspect used a long rifle and fired into the crowd while running over people, according to three law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. We are investigating whether it is possible.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city of New Orleans was “affected by a terrorist attack.”
The FBI said it is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. The FBI said improvised explosive devices were found, but the bureau was working to confirm whether they were viable explosives.
President Biden has been briefed on the attack, a White House official said.
Kirkpatrick said the two injured officers, as well as dozens of others, were being treated at local hospitals.
Kirkpatrick said it was unclear how many locals were among the victims, but preliminary information indicated “the majority appear to be locals rather than tourists.”
In a post on X, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the incident a “horrific act of violence” and said he prayed for the victims.
“Many of us woke up this morning to the shocking news of the brutal and intentional massacre of innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. “I’m praying for the victims and their families.” Please make sure they are brought to justice for this horrible act. ”
The French Quarter’s historic Bourbon Street is a popular tourist destination lined with bars and restaurants, and was expected to be crowded on New Year’s Eve.
Video taken by onlookers and uploaded to social media showed a heavy police presence at Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
Police said Tuesday that the city is expected to be crowded as locals and tourists celebrate the new year. The New Orleans Police Department has announced that it will increase its staffing level to 100% and draft an additional 300 officers to maintain public order.
“We will be relentless and do whatever it takes to achieve true justice,” the mayor said.
Tom Winter, Julia Ainslie, and Ken Dilanian contributed.
