Terrorist Attack on Bourbon Street

At least 10 dead and 30 injured in New Orleans after SUV ploughs into crowds celebrating the New Year

By NATASHA ANDERSON

PUBLISHED: 05:28 EST, 1 January 2025 | UPDATED: 07:18 EST, 1 January 2025

At least 10 people dead and 30 left injured after an SUV plowed into a crowd celebrating New Year on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter.

The driver rammed into the large group at high speed, then got out and started firing a weapon, CBS News said, citing witnesses. Police returned fire.

Witnesses claim the suspect was 'wearing full body armor' and 'armed with an assault rifle', according to reports on social media.

Videos circulating on social media that appear to have been recorded at the scene shows multiple casualties on the ground as shots ring out in the background. People were also seen running from the area.

Dozens of police officers have responded to what authorities have declared a 'mass casualty event' and a portion of the road has been cordoned off. Paramedics, ambulances and vehicles from the coroner's office were also seen at the scene.

Ambulances have transported the wounded to area hospitals, the city added, and police are continuing to investigate the incident.

No information about the suspect has been released at this time and it is unclear if any arrests have been made.

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At least 10 people dead and 30 left injured after an SUV plowed into a crowd celebrating New Year on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter

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Dozens of police officers have responded to what authorities have declared a 'mass casualty event' and a portion of the road has been cordoned off

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Victims, emergency responders and eyewitnesses are seen on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning after a vehicle plowed into a large crowd
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The vehicle plowed into the crowd at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street on Wednesday around 3.15am local time, city officials confirmed.

A man, who claimed to witness the incident while out with his wife, wrote on X that he saw an SUV 'speeding' down the road and 'running people over'.

Another alleged witness told WLWT that she saw the vehicle strike the crowd and multiple officers open fire at the suspect. She says she started running and only escaped 'by the grace of god'.

Kevin Garcia, 22, said the car was 'slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk'. He heard gunshots ring out and claims a 'body came flying at me', CNN reported.

Whit Davis, a 22-year-old witness from Shreveport, Louisiana, said she was in a nightclub when the attack unfolded.

'Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit,' she told CNN.

Davis claims that even though the scene had 'calmed down', investigators would not let them leave.

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Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, has reportedly been shut down while investigators work the scene

Bourbon Street, famous for its many bars and clubs, has reportedly been shut down while investigators work the scene. People are advised to stay away from the area.

'The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street,' NOLA Ready, the the city's official disaster preparedness agency, said in a statement.

'There are 30 injured patients that have been transported by NOEMS (New Orleans Emergency Medical Services) and 10 fatalities. Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as they are received.'

The incident came toward the end of New Year's celebrations in New Orleans and hours before the kickoff of the AllState Bowl, a college football quarterfinal held in the city's Caesars Superdome, with thousands expected to be in attendance.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has condemned the 'horrific' attack and said he is 'praying for all the victims and first responders on scene'.

'A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,' Landry tweeted. '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.'