At least ten people were killed and nearly three dozen injured during a New Year’s terror attack on Bourbon Street in downtown New Orleans.
An unknown male assailant – driving a white Ford F-150 with Texas license plates – plowed into a crowd of revelers at approximately 3:15 a.m. CST on Wednesday (January 1, 2025), per local police. After striking dozens of partygoers, the attacker emerged from the vehicle and opened fire on responding officers.
He was subsequently shot and killed by police.
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Video obtained of the mass shooting in New Orleans, Bourbon Street. pic.twitter.com/sVIDSwpRhO
— F????l????i????c????k???? (@Flick1_) January 1, 2025
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“It was very intentional behavior,” New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told reporters early Wednesday. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could. It was not a DUI situation.”
“He was hellbent on creating the carnage,” Kilpatrick added.
Two NOPD officers were wounded during the exchange of gunfire with the suspect. Those officers are in stable condition. However, many of the victims transported to area hospitals are reportedly listed in critical condition, per local media reports.
New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack,” although officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) claimed otherwise, referring to it as a “mass casualty event” and “not a terrorist attack.” The FBI’s refusal to refer to the incident as an act of terrorism came despite the announced discovery of at least one improvised explosive device at the scene of the attack.
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According to reporter Ben Myers of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, the alleged perpetrator was “shot and killed by police.” A follow-up report from Times-Picayune reporter Gabriella Killett also indicated the alleged perpetrator had been “shot and killed by authorities,” citing “a source with knowledge of the investigation.”
Local law enforcement confirmed that information shortly after 9:30 a.m. EST.
“After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire,” a statement from the NOPD noted. “The victim was struck and subsequently declared deceased on scene.”
“Further information on the suspect is not currently available for release,” the statement added.
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#NOPD responds to deadly vehicle crash that occurred in the early hours today on Bourbon Street involving multiple fatalities & injuries. Suspect declared deceased on scene. @FBINewOrleans leading investigation. MORE INFO: https://t.co/EigDVzLaUe pic.twitter.com/uFDiaci7PY
— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) January 1, 2025
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Photographs of the F-150 published by local media outlets showed four bullet holes visible in its rear window. The truck also appeared to have a raised item mounted to its hitch – covered with what appeared to be a black, weather-resistant fabric.
According to the police narrative, its officers responded to “the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets” at 3:17 a.m. CST following reports of “a vehicle having driven into a crowd of pedestrians.”
“A total of 10 victims were declared to be deceased on scene,” NOPD noted. “At this time, approximately 35 additional victims were determined to have suffered injuries in relation to this incident. Those injured were transported to multiple local and area hospitals via EMS for treatment. No updates are currently available on these victims’ conditions.”
In addition to the tragic loss of life and widespread injury associated with this mass casualty event, the attack raised security concerns for the upcoming 2025 Sugar Bowl – a college football game which pits the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs against the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The national quarterfinal matchup is scheduled to kickoff at 8:45 p.m. EST at the Caesars Superdome – an 83,000-seat arena located just 2,000 feet from the site of the attack.
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Louisiana governor Jeff Landry offered prayers for the victims – and urged citizens to stay away from the area as authorities attempted to piece together what happened.
“A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,” Landry wrote on X. “I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”
NOPD’s statement specifically asked citizens to “avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Streets and also east to Royal Street to west to Dauphine Street until further notice as this investigation is ongoing.”
New Orleans police confirmed the FBI was leading the investigation and that “anyone with information that can assist” them should call the agency’s New Orleans bureau at 504 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.
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UPDATE |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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1 comment
Why is Nancy Pelosi’s older cousin the chief of police in New Orleans?