US: Multiple feared dead after vehicle rams into crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day

After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was struck and subsequently declared deceased on scene. Further information on the suspect is not currently available for release,

the statement said

The NOPD responded to a fatal traffic crash that occurred during the early hours today (January 1, 2024) at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets that has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, including the suspected perpetrator,

the New Orleans Police Department said in a statement

Two NOPD officers were struck and injured in the exchange. Both were transported via EMS to a local hospital and were last listed in stable condition,

it added

Last night, we had over 300 officers out here and because of the intentional mindset of this perpetrator, who went around our barricades in order to conduct this, he was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,

Kirkpatrick said

The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street. There are 30 injured patients ... and 10 fatalities,

NOLA Ready, New Orleans emergency preparedness program, said in a statement

There has been a mass casualty incident on Canal and Bourbon Street. Get yourself away from the area,

NOLA Ready announced on social media

Jeff Landrylouisiana Governor

A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,

the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, said on X, urging people to stay away from the area where the attack took place

Initial reports show a car may have plowed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities,

New Orleans Police Department spokesperson told CBS News

This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,

Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a televised press conference on Wednesday

We know the perpetrator has been killed,

said New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas

This is not a terrorist event."

Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said

Horrible. The new weapon of mass murder. Why don't they have road blocks for events like this? In the current world they should have known this was a risk,

the fourth user commented

Whoever did this needs to face the true extent of #justice. And that may include cruel and unusual punishment if it's proven they did this attack on purpose,

one X user wrote