UPDATE: 2 p.m. EST - The death toll has risen to 15.
UPDATE: 1:30 p.m. EST - The barricades that normally protect Bourbon Street were not present because they had been removed for renovation ahead of the Super Bowl, which is set to be held in New Orleans in February.
UPDATE: 12 p.m. EST - The suspect has been identified as a former U.S. Army vet named Shamsud Din Jabbar.
An horrific start to 2025 in New Orleans:
(The number of dead has now risen to 12.)
[12] people were killed and dozens injured early Wednesday when a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter as revelers were celebrating the new year, officials said. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the man drove through barricades and hurtled down Bourbon Street in 'very intentional behavior' before opening fire on officers.
'This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,' said Kirkpatrick, adding that two police officers were hit by gunfire but were in a stable condition.
The attack occurred at 3:17 a.m. CST on New Year's morning. Bourbon Street is known for its late-night revelries and would have been a prime target with packed crowds.
Images and footage of the psychopathic attack was shared on social media on Wednesday morning, including video that appears to include sounds of the gunfight between the killer and police:
Some censored footage showed the brutal aftermath of the killings (you may have to click on the link since X sometimes keeps graphic videos from loading on other sites):
[Warning: Blurred but graphic]
The mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, said the incident was a "terror attack" ... and then an FBI agent said it WASN'T a terror attack just a minute later at the same press conference.
That same FBI agent said improvised explosive devices had been found just after saying it wasn't a terror attack. 🥴
The FBI then decided a bit later on Wednesday morning that it actually WAS a terror attack (they are very smart). From Sky News:
New Orleans Gov. Jeff Landry also responded to the attack early on Wednesday:
Social media observers, meanwhile, noted the presence of what looked like a flag on the back of the truck, though it had apparently been covered up by police just after the attack:
The driver of the truck is reportedly dead, but we know nothing else about him other than his truck has Texas license plates (for whatever that is worth).
The media, of course, was being as "helpful" as ever with their usual headlines. 👇
We'll keep you updated as more details roll in.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
