After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver emerged from the truck and open fire on responding officers, New Orleans police said. Officers returned fire, striking and killing the driver, police said.
Two officers were shot and are in stable condition, police said.
“Last night, we had over 300 officers out here, and because of the intentional mindset of this perpetrator – who went around our barricades in order to conduct this … He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said.
FBI and police are now conducting searches of the vehicle as they seek to determine a motive.
Most of the victims are believed to be locals, Kirkpatrick said, although tourists may be amongst them.
The victims have been taken to five hospitals across the city.
The city’s emergency preparedness agency, NOLA Ready, told people to stay away from the area.
The attack occurred about 3.15am (8.15pm AEDT) on Wednesday along Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties.
Crowds in the city were ballooning in anticipation for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day, with thousands expected to be in attendance.
‘Investigate this as an act of terrorism’
After an initial disagreement over whether the incident was or wasn’t “a terrorist attack”, as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell labelled it, the FBI have now said they are investigating the ramming as “an act of terrorism”.
“This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others,” the statement said.
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said officials were investigating at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
The FBI are also looking into any possible associates of the suspect who may have been involved, a standard part of any investigation, law enforcement officials told CNN.
Trump to ‘fully support’ city after ‘act of pure evil’
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the “horrific news”, the White House said in a statement.
Biden had been in touch with the mayor and offered his support, they added.
President-elect Donald Trump has said his administration will “fully support” the city’s investigation and recovery in a post on his social media site, Truth Social.
“The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before,” he said.
“Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.
“The Trump administration will fully support the city of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil.”
The Department of Homeland Security is assisting in the investigation, coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is in touch with officials, including members of the Louisiana congressional delegation, according to a Homeland Security official.
‘It was just unimaginable casualty’
Witnesses have told of the horror scenes and hearing gunshots as the drama unfolded.
“All I seen was a truck slamming into everyone on the left side of Bourbon sidewalk,” said Kevin Garcia, 22, speaking to CNN shortly after the incident.
“A body came flying at me,” he said, adding that he also heard gunshots being fired.
Jimmy Cothran, a New Orleans resident of 15 years who was at the scene of Wednesday’s attack, described the harrowing aftermath he witnessed from a nearby nightclub balcony.
“When we got up there … it was just unimaginable casualty,” he said of his view from the balcony.
“I mean, just the disfigurement and the bodies strewn, something you can’t unsee. You’ll never forget.”
Cothran described the disturbing sight in detail to CNN’s Pamela Brown, adding that he and his friend counted eight bodies.
“Only a movie script could give you the images in my head,” he added.
Another witness, 22-year-old Whit Davis from Shreveport, Louisiana, told CNN the incident occurred while she was at a nightclub on Bourbon Street.
“Everyone started yelling and screaming and running to the back, and then we basically went into lockdown for a little bit and then it calmed down but they wouldn’t let us leave,” Davis said.
“When they finally let us out of the club, police waved us where to walk and were telling us to get out of the area fast. I saw a few dead bodies they couldn’t even cover up and tons of people receiving first aid.”
Police told people on the scene to put their phones away and leave as soon as possible, Davis said.
‘Horrific act of violence’
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called the incident a “horrific act of violence”.
“Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene,” he wrote on X.
“I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”
US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called the attack “an act of pure evil” and demanded swift justice in a social media post on Wednesday morning.
“The vicious attack on innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans early this morning was an act of pure evil, and justice must be swift for anyone who was involved,” the speaker said on X.
“Please join us in praying for the victims, their families, and the first responders and investigators on the scene.”
GOP Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy called the attack in New Orleans “so tragic” in a post on X.
“Give thanks for the police officers responding,” he wrote. “Remember the wounded and dead and their families.”
New Orleans – and specifically the French Quarter, the city’s vibrant historic centre where Bourbon Street is located – was still in the throes of New Year’s celebrations when the vehicle ran into a crowd early on Wednesday.
Crowds had gathered to attend an open-air concert and New Year’s countdown, with restaurants offering special deals and performances, according to the city’s official website.
LGBTQ parties featuring dancing and drag cabaret were taking place elsewhere on Bourbon Street, the heart of the city’s gay community – just blocks from where the incident took place.
Many celebrations had been aimed at college football fans descending on the city for the Allstate Sugar Bowl, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday — including a parade that had taken place on Tuesday.
– Reported with CNN and Associated Press
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