A deadly car attack in New Orleans has sparked chaos and outcry at New Year's Eve in the Louisiana city, with authorities investigating the incident as a “terrorist” attack.
At least 10 people died when a Ford car crashed into a crowd of people early in the morning on Bourbon Street, which is located in the center of the French Quarter, one of the most popular areas of the city of the United States.
Another 35 people were injured in Wednesday's attack, which authorities ruled was not an accident.
The car crashed, and the driver shot at the police as he tried to escape. Two officers received bullet wounds, and the suspect was killed in the exchange.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later identified the suspect as a 42-year-old US citizen named Shamsud-Din Jabbar from the neighboring state of Texas.
At a press conference in the afternoon, Alethea Duncan, a special agent at the FBI's New Orleans branch, said Jabbar was not believed to be “the sole perpetrator” of the attack and appealed to the public for more information.
Investigators revealed that they found what appeared to be an explosive device in his car, as well as a flag affiliated with the terrorist group ISIL (ISIS).
The bloodshed on Bourbon Street prompted the withdrawal of US leaders, including outgoing President Joe Biden and his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20.
“My heart goes out to those affected and their families who just want to celebrate the holidays,” Biden wrote in a statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on our communities.”
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is the center of Cajun culture in the US, which has many French, African and Indigenous influences.
The city's French Quarter is a beacon for visitors who want to enjoy New Orleans' jazz, drinking and entertainment. The city brings in billions tourism revenue every year.
The investigation into the vehicle violation is ongoing, with the FBI leading the investigation. No reason has been released.
But New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed that the attack was “very deliberate”.
“This is not just terrorism. This is bad,” he said at a press conference in the afternoon. “And when we face bad, we have a choice.”
“I promise you, as the chief of police in this city, this city has been tried by fire.” But fire cleanses. Fire makes things stronger. “