A deadly drive-by attack in New Orleans has brought chaos and mourning to New Year’s celebrations in the Louisiana city, with authorities investigating the incident as an act of “terrorism”.
At least 10 people were killed when a Ford pickup plowed into crowds early in the morning on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, one of the most visited areas of the United States city.
Another 35 people were injured in Wednesday’s attack, which officials quickly determined was not an accident.
The truck eventually crashed and the driver fired at law enforcement as he attempted to flee. Two officers were wounded by bullets and the suspect was killed in the exchange.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later identified the suspect as a 42-year-old American citizen named Shamsud-Din Jabbar from the neighboring state of Texas.
At an afternoon news conference, Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent for the FBI’s New Orleans branch, said Jabbar was not believed to be “solely responsible” for the attack and appealed to the public for further information.
Investigators said they had discovered what appeared to be an explosive device in his vehicle, as well as a flag associated with the armed group ISIL (ISIS).
The bloodbath on Bourbon Street prompted an outpouring of condolences from US leaders, including outgoing President Joe Biden and his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to take office on January 20.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were just trying to celebrate the holiday,” Biden wrote in a statement. “There is no justification for any kind of violence and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a central part of Cajun culture in the US, which boasts a mix of French, African and indigenous influences.
The city’s French Quarter is a beacon for tourists looking to enjoy New Orleans-style jazz, drinks and entertainment. The city brings in billions in tourism revenue every year.
An investigation into the car crash incident is ongoing, with the FBI taking the lead in the investigation. No motive has yet been released.
But New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stressed that the attack was “very deliberate.”
“This is not just a terrorist act. This is bad,” she said at the afternoon press conference. “And when faced with evil, we have a choice.”
“I promise you, as the police chief of this city, this city has been tried by fire before. But fire cleans. Fire makes things stronger.”
