Tragedy Strikes New Orleans: Pickup Truck Attack Claims 10 Lives, Injures Dozens

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, terror struck New Orleans’ iconic Bourbon Street as a man deliberately drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in the French Quarter. The horrific attack left ten people dead and over 30 others injured, turning what should have been a night of celebration into one of chaos and mourning.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the driver’s actions as “very intentional behavior,” wrote CBS News. According to Kirkpatrick, the driver bypassed security barricades, accelerated into the densely packed crowd, and then opened fire on responding police officers. Two officers were struck by gunfire during the confrontation but are reportedly in stable condition.

Witnesses told CBS News reporter Kati Weis that a white truck crashed into people on Bourbon Street at high speed, and the driver then started firing a weapon from inside the vehicle, with police returning fire.

The City of New Orleans said in a statement posted online that 30 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries and 10 people were confirmed dead. Kirkpatrick later said that at least 35 people were hospitalized.

Duncan said that possible improvised explosives were also found nearby, but said it was unclear if they were related. No other information was given.

Duncan said the FBI will be leading the investigation. President Biden was briefed about the attack, the White House said, and his administration has been in touch with Cantrell to offer support.

Another witness told NBC News that “he was walking from Bourbon Street toward Canal Street when he noticed a “lot of commotion” and ducked off into a nightclub. Suddenly, he said, a group of women ran inside, pushing back security and hiding under tables.

‘We live here and unfortunately, our first thoughts were somebody’s shooting or chasing them,’ he said. Cothran said he ran upstairs, knowing the club had a balcony, only to witness a horrific scene, with the bodies of victims laying on the ground.

‘Two looked to be at least alive. I wouldn’t say survivable but at least alive,’ he said.

Others appeared to be ‘graphically deceased,’ with one having tire tracks visible on his body. ‘It just kept going,’ he said. ‘Like, every eye shot, body, body, body, body.'”

Governor Jeff Landry condemned the attack, calling it “a horrific act of violence.” He urged residents and visitors to avoid the French Quarter as authorities continued their investigation into the tragedy.

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.

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 1, 2025

Despite the devastating events, city officials confirmed that the highly anticipated Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome would proceed as planned. Enhanced security measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of attendees.

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