Bourbon Street, Jan 01, (V7N) - A tragic and devastating event unfolded early on New Year's Day in New Orleans' French Quarter, when an armed man drove a speeding truck into a crowd celebrating on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and over 30 injuries. The driver, after crashing into the crowd, began firing at police officers from inside the vehicle. Local law enforcement responded quickly, and the man was fatally shot by police officers.

The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m., during one of the busiest times of the year in New Orleans, as the city was filled with people celebrating the arrival of the New Year. According to Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, the driver deliberately targeted the crowd and swerved around barricades set up to control the flow of pedestrians.

The FBI has classified the incident as a terrorist assault. A statement from the FBI's New Orleans office confirmed that an improvised explosive device (IED) was found near the scene, though authorities are still investigating whether it was a functional threat. The police confirmed that two officers were injured in the attack and are now in stable condition.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the perpetrator as being "hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage," emphasizing that this was not an accident but a deliberate, violent act intended to harm as many people as possible. She added that over 300 officers had been stationed in the city for New Year’s Eve, which likely helped prevent further bloodshed despite the chaos.

In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, praising the swift actions of the local police in preventing further loss of life. The federal government is coordinating closely with local and state authorities to investigate the attack.

The assault has brought added concern to public safety with several major events taking place in New Orleans. The Sugar Bowl football game was scheduled to occur later in the day, and Super Bowl LIX is set to take place in the city in February. Despite the tragic event, officials have reassured the public that these events will proceed as planned, with heightened security measures in place. The Sugar Bowl, one of the country's oldest and most prestigious college football games, is especially significant, drawing large crowds from around the country.

The Louisiana Attorney General, Liz Murrill, condemned the attack, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, the FBI and other federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), are working alongside state and local law enforcement to understand the full scope of the attack and prevent further violence.

Security for upcoming public events, including the Sugar Bowl and the start of Mardi Gras celebrations on January 6, has been significantly ramped up. The New Orleans Police Department has already deployed additional resources, ensuring a visible law enforcement presence in the city. Officers will be patrolling on foot, by bike, and even on horseback, alongside marked and unmarked police vehicles, to maintain public order and provide immediate responses in the event of any threats.

The incident has also garnered responses from political leaders across the nation. Former President Donald Trump condemned the attack as "pure evil," echoing concerns about rising violence in the U.S. He expressed his support for New Orleans and its police department, offering condolences to the victims.

As authorities continue their investigation, the city of New Orleans, and indeed the nation, are grappling with the aftermath of this horrific attack. The impact of this tragedy is far-reaching, with many individuals, including those attending the Sugar Bowl and the Mardi Gras festivities, left uncertain about their safety. Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies remain committed to preventing further violence and ensuring that New Orleans can recover from this devastating assault.

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