At least ten people were killed and dozens injured early January 1, 2025, when a driver intentionally drove his pickup truck through crowds on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, during the city's famed New Year's Eve celebrations. Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the horrific scene as a "terrorist attack," but the FBI later stated the incident was "not a terrorist event," leading to confusion among officials.
The attack unfolded around 3:15 AM at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets, where revelers gathered to welcome the New Year. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department confirmed the driver sped through barricades at high speed, wreaking havoc on the celebrations.
According to officials, the impact of the truck and subsequent gunfire from the driver caused immediate panic as bystanders watched the carnage. "This man was trying to run over as many people as he could," Kirkpatrick said. Witnesses described scenes of horror with multiple bodies lying on the ground and people screaming and fleeing the area.
Following the vehicle collision, the driver exited the truck and opened fire on police officers, injuring at least two before being shot dead by responding officers. Eyewitness Jim Mowrer recalled hearing crashing noises and seeing the truck speeding past him. "We immediately tried to help several victims but realized they were already dead," he said. "Once it was past us, we did hear gunfire. I couldn’t believe what was happening right there on Bourbon Street."
More than thirty injured were rushed to various hospitals, including University Medical Center, Touro Hospital, and East Jefferson General Hospital. The authorities reported at least ten fatalities due to the incident, with victims suffering from injuries resulting from the truck's impact.
Authorities found at least one suspected improvised explosive device (IED) at the scene, raising questions about the nature of the attack. Alethea Duncan, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, confirmed the IED's discovery, emphasizing its potential danger, though its connection to the driver remains uncertain.
Following the incident, the city braced for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game between Georgia and Notre Dame, which was set to kick off at the nearby Superdome later the same day. Police Commissioner Kirkpatrick assured the public of heightened security measures around the event, stating, "We will do everything required to keep everyone safe at the Sugar Bowl."
Witness accounts shared through social media vividly captured the instant chaos. Videos showed crowds fleeing, with one user describing how "a body came flying at me" and the sheer panic of people trying to escape the shooting and collisions.
This mass casualty event has rippled through the local community, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry calling it "a horrific act of violence." He urged the public to pray for victims and first responders and advised all to avoid the area.
Emergency responders worked diligently at the scene to assist victims and assess the situation. Videos aired by various news outlets depicted emergency vehicles and crews tending to the injured. The scene looked nothing short of catastrophic, with bodies uncovered and paramedics hard at work. The city has experienced much turmoil, but this incident marks one of the worst to grace the historic French Quarter during one of New Orleans' most celebratory times.
Many questions remain about the assailant and his motives as investigations by police and federal agencies continue. President Biden was briefed on the situation and offered the White House's full support. The clashes of narratives around this incident, termed by some as terrorism and dismissed by others, highlight the complex reality we face as urban areas become more vulnerable to acts of violence.
While officials promise updates as the investigation proceeds, the community’s grief echoes loudest—a tragic New Year's start for New Orleans, where revelry transformed overnight to despair.