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A minimum of 10 individuals had been killed and 35 injured after a person drove a car into a big crowd within the coronary heart of New Orleans in an assault that the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism”.
The assault occurred early on New 12 months’s Day alongside Bourbon Avenue in Louisiana’s largest metropolis, one of many essential streets within the historic French Quarter, which is stuffed with bars, eating places and musical venues, and entice home and worldwide guests.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the superintendent of the New Orleans Police Division, mentioned that round 3.15am native time a person drove a pick-up truck down Bourbon Avenue at a “very quick tempo”.
“It was very intentional behaviour. This man was making an attempt to run over as many individuals as he probably might,” Kirkpatrick added. “He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the harm that he did.”
Kirkpatrick mentioned two cops had been shot by the motive force and had been in steady situation. The FBI later issued an announcement saying the shooter and perpetrator of the assault was useless.
“This morning, a person drove a automotive right into a crowd of individuals on Bourbon Avenue in New Orleans, killing plenty of individuals and injuring dozens of others. The topic then engaged with native regulation enforcement and is now deceased,” the FBI mentioned. “The FBI is the lead investigative company, and we’re working with our companions to analyze this as an act of terrorism,” it added.
LaToya Cantrell, the mayor of New Orleans, mentioned town had been affected by a “terrorist assault”, with out giving additional particulars.
“What I’m asking right now are prayers for many who misplaced their lives within the metropolis of New Orleans on account of this tragedy,” she mentioned.
The White Home confirmed that President Joe Biden had “been briefed on the horrific information”. It added: “The FBI is already on the bottom supporting native regulation enforcement within the investigation and the president will proceed to be briefed all through the day.”
Alethea Duncan, an FBI assistant particular agent in New Orleans, instructed reporters an improvised explosive gadget had been discovered on the scene of the assault. The FBI was working to substantiate whether or not the gadget was “viable”, Duncan mentioned.
New Orleans is usually teeming with guests in the course of the vacation interval, however the metropolis was particularly packed on New 12 months’s Eve this yr due to the “Sugar Bowl” American soccer recreation deliberate for Wednesday between the College of Georgia and the College of Notre Dame.
The sporting occasion was anticipated to go forward as scheduled regardless of the assault, however native officers had been asking individuals to keep away from the realm the place it came about.
