New Orleans live updates: Driver plows into Bourbon Street crowd, killing 10

NEW ORLEANS – A driver wrought carnage on New Orleans’ famed French Quarter early on New Year’s Day, ramming a pickup truck into a crowd and killing 10 people before being shot to death by police, authorities said.

More than 30 people were injured in the attack, which the FBI is investigating as an act of terrorism.

The driver was killed in a firefight with police following the attack around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street near Canal Street in an area teeming with New Year’s revelers, the FBI said.

All times are in Central Time. 

10:34 a.m.

President Biden addresses reporters after releasing a statement earlier:

I have been continually briefed since early this morning by federal law enforcement leadership and my homeland security team, including Secretary of Homeland Security Ali Mayorkas, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, and the Mayor of New Orleans regarding the horrific incident that occurred there overnight. The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism. I am grateful for the brave and swift response of local law enforcement in preventing even greater death and injury. I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind.

I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.

10:25 a.m.

The White House releases a statement. 

“President Biden called New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell this morning to offer full federal support following the horrific news that a driver killed and injured dozens of individuals in New Orleans overnight,” the White House tweeted. 

9:52 a.m.

FOX News reports the vehicle used in the crime passed through Eagle Pass, Texas, but the suspect’s citizenship status is not known.

9:44 a.m.

President-elect Donald Trump releases a statement via Truth Social calling the crime a “pure act of evil.”

7 a.m.

Authorities hold a news briefing. 

Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.

“A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wrote on social media. “Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene.”

Landry also urged “all near the scene to avoid the area.”

The suspect died after a gunfire exchange, according to FOX News and the Associated Press, both citing anonymous law enforcement officials. It was unclear if he was hit by an officer or if he ended his own life. 

3:15 a.m.

Police said the driver sped through a crowd along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers had gathered to celebrate the start of the New Year. 

Ten people were killed and more than 30 others were injured and taken to five local hospitals. Two police officers were also wounded in a shootout with the suspect.

Investigators were combing the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

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