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Multiple fatalities occurred in a tragic New Year’s Day incident on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street when a vehicle crashed into a crowd of celebrants, followed by gunfire, according to local authorities.
The devastating event unfolded around 3:15 a.m., as reported by New Orleans ABC affiliate WNGO, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 30 people requiring hospitalization for injuries.
According to media reports, after crashing into the crowd, the driver exited the vehicle armed and began shooting at bystanders.
This is unbelievable. The mayor of New Orleans confirmed it was a terrorist attack, and literally minutes later, at the same press conference, an FBI spokesperson stated it was not a terrorist attack. pic.twitter.com/FbTyG3VNXt
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) January 1, 2025
A survivor who spoke to WWLTV described her narrow escape, saying she “only escaped by the grace of God” after witnessing the vehicle strike the crowd. She noted that law enforcement officers fired at the vehicle in an attempt to stop the driver.
Additional witnesses informed CBS News about seeing the truck speeding into the crowd before the driver emerged and opened fire, prompting police to return fire at the suspect.
CBS News correspondent Kati Weis reported observing numerous individuals receiving medical treatment on the ground.
A spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department acknowledged that “initial reports show a car may have plowed into a group of people. Injuries are unknown but there are reported fatalities.”
CNN spoke with eyewitnesses who described seeing casualties and hearing gunshots. Kevin Garcia, 22, recounted, “All I seen was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk. A body came flying at me.”
These hydraulic steel barricades were installed in New Orleans in response to attacks where t*rrorists use cars as a weapon.
A witness says they weren’t raised last night. People were confused as to why they weren’t raised.
This is how the t*rrorist was able to k*ll so many… pic.twitter.com/dU6QtSZY7q
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 1, 2025
Whit Davis, 22, who was inside a Bourbon Street nightclub during the incident, described the ensuing chaos: “Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry addressed the situation on X, stating: “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 [the] scene.” He advised people to avoid the area.
NBC News reported that prior to the incident, the New Orleans Police Department had anticipated a busy holiday period and had prepared by operating at full staff capacity while bringing in an additional 300 officers.
