New Orleans faced a devastating incident on Wednesday morning when a man drove a pickup truck down the iconic Bourbon Street at a high speed, resulting in a mass casualty event. The attack, which occurred around 3:15 a.m., has left at least 10 people dead and over 35 others injured.
Authorities reported that the attacker exhibited \"very intentional behavior,\" aiming to harm as many individuals as possible. During the chaos, two police officers were shot by the suspect from his vehicle but remain in stable condition.
Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, the city's police chief, emphasized that while the majority of victims appear to be locals, it's unclear how many were tourists. The White House confirmed that U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation.
Was it a terrorist attack?
The classification of the incident has been a subject of debate. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell initially described the event as a \"terrorist attack.\" However, shortly after, Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, stated that the incident was \"not a terrorist attack.\" Despite this, the FBI later announced that they are investigating the event as a possible act of terrorism, especially after discovering a suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
A history of similar incidents
This isn't the first time New Orleans has been targeted in such a manner. In November 2024, two separate shootings occurred along a parade route, resulting in two deaths and ten injuries. Earlier, in February 2017, a pickup truck driven by a man collided with a Mardi Gras crowd, injuring more than 20 people. These past events highlight the recurring challenges the city faces regarding public safety during large gatherings.
The attacker in Wednesday's incident has been reported dead, and motives remain under investigation. Law enforcement continues to analyze the event to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of both residents and visitors.
Reference(s):
2 officers shot and wounded in New Orleans 'terrorist attack:' police
cgtn.com
