Just hours into 2025, a suspected terrorist killed 10 people and injured about 35 others when a driver plowed into a crowd in New Orleans, authorities said.

The suspect drove his truck into a crowd of pedestrians at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street around 3:17 a.m., before colliding with a construction vehicle. According to Call the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).

NOPD Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick told reporters at a news conference. press conference NOLA.com reported that the suspect was speeding in a pickup truck. “It was a very deliberate act. This guy was trying to run over as many people as possible. He wasn’t drunk and driving. [Driving Under the Influence] “It’s the situation,” she added. (Related: Report: Taxi driver plows into crowd in city’s downtown area on Christmas Day, hitting 6 people)

The suspects drove around police barricades and were “desperate to cause carnage and damage,” she said.

After crashing the truck, the suspect opened fire on police officers responding to a distress call from the scene, injuring two officers. NOPD added that officers opened fire, killing the suspect.

The injured officers were last seen in stable condition at an area hospital. Paramedics also transported other injured people to area hospitals, police said.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell characterized the fatal incident at a press conference as a “terrorist attack.”

“I am in direct contact with the White House. [Louisiana] governor [Jeff] Landry and of course joint command [sic] is here,” Cantrell added.

Alecia Duncan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in New Orleans, spoke at the same conference and offered a different view than the mayor.

“This is not a terrorist incident,” Duncan said. “What is there now is there. [were] improvised explosive device [sic] I found it and am working on confirming if this is a viable device. ”

governor landry explained The incident was a “horrific act of violence”.

The College Football Playoff game between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame is scheduled to be held Wednesday night at Caesars Superdome, one mile from the site. The parade — the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade — had been scheduled for the previous afternoon and was scheduled to pass through various streets in the area, NOPD said. statement.

Neither Bourbon Street nor Canal Street was along the parade route, but the streets along the route were approximately 2 to 8 miles from the scene of the incident, according to the statement.

Jackson Square, where the city’s New Year’s Eve concert and countdown was held Tuesday at 9 p.m., is less than a mile from the site. Police officers were in the area to provide security for these large events, the statement said.

Kirkpatrick told reporters that at the time of the press conference, more locals than tourists were injured.

The FBI is leading the investigation.

To be clear, the truck crossed the border two days ago. It is not known if the suspect was inside this truck. We are currently working to identify the suspect. https://t.co/041hPwERsO

— Aisha Hasnie (@aishahhasnie) January 1, 2025

fox news reported on Wednesday The morning of November, the truck used in the attack crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. That has not been confirmed, and the suspect’s own hometown is also unknown.

On January 1, 2025, police cordoned off the intersection of Canal Street and Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured after a car plowed into a New Year’s crowd in the city center overnight Wednesday. Officials in the southern U.S. city say it is part of New Orleans’ thriving tourist district. (Photo by MATTHEW HINTON/AFP) (Photo by MATTHEW HINTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Officials say updates are expected to occur in an active and dynamic situation.

Investigators and city officials are asking everyone to stay away from Bourbon City and nearby streets as the investigation continues.