In New Orleans, America, on New Year’s morning, a truck driver drove into a crowd, killing at least 10 people.
The incident occurred amidst the celebrations on Bourbon Street, a popular destination for New Year festivities, when the truck struck the gathering. At least 35 others sustained injuries. Authorities report that the driver deliberately targeted the crowd and later opened fire from inside the vehicle. American media reported that the suspected driver was shot and killed by the police.
Local police chief Anne Kirkpatrick informed that the suspect was driving the pickup truck at a very high speed and was trying to crush as many people as possible.
Kirkpatrick said, “This incident occurred at 3:15 am local time. The suspect hit the barricade and then shot and injured two police officers. The FBI has taken over the investigation of the incident. The whole case is also being investigated from the angle that whether it is a terrorist attack or not.
Bourbon Street in the Front Quarter of New Orleans is known for its nightlife. There are many bars, restaurants and clubs here.
An eyewitness of this incident, Whit Davis of Louisiana, said, “We were on Bourbon Street since evening. When we were in the bar, we did not hear any gunshots or any car crash because the music was loud.” “After this, people started running here and there and hiding under the tables.”
After this incident, the authorities have asked people to stay away from the area. The New Orleans Superintendent of Police has said that enforcement officers are engaged in securing the city’s Superdome Stadium. A football match is to be played here at night.
Meanwhile, the FBI has said in a statement that the truck driver is dead and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing this case as a terrorist incident.
FBI Special Agent Althea Duncan has said that there is a possibility of finding explosives from the spot and the officers are engaged in analyzing this possibility.”
New Orleans Mayor La Toya Cantrell has said that the investigation is going on to get the correct and detailed information of the incident. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has been informed about the incident. The US President’s office, the White House, has said in a statement that the President is in touch with the local mayor to provide help.
