Current information from New Orleans: 10 people died in the “terrorist attack” that took place in New Orleans – local authorities say

A man in a white pickup truck who was “very keen” to kill as many people as possible bypassed barricades and drove his vehicle into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens of others. City and federal authorities announced Wednesday.

Law enforcement officials said that in addition to driving at a high rate of speed, the suspect fired shots while mowing down people. Authorities said he was shot and killed by police when he exited his vehicle with an assault rifle. Authorities said at least two police officers were shot and wounded.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the incident as a “terrorist attack.” The FBI said it does not yet use the term. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was trying to kill as many people as possible.

By the end of the clashes, at least 35 people were injured, New Orleans – informed the police and city authorities.

“He cared deeply about causing the carnage that he did,” New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a news conference Wednesday.

According to the White House, President Biden was briefed on the attack and contacted Cantrell to offer support.

“The FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement in the investigation, and the President will continue to receive updates throughout the day,” the White House said in a statement.

Local authorities asked the FBI for help on Wednesday, a senior federal law enforcement source told ABC News. The source said a command center had been established. The FBI was to lead the investigation.

“A horrific act of violence occurred on Bourbon Street this morning,” said Gov. Jeff Landry, adding that his family is praying for the victims and first responders.

Before the holidays, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies warned police across the country that ramming into high-tech vehicles was a key area of ​​concern and for which they should prepare – and even before Germany Attack on the Christmas market December 20, in which five people died and hundreds were injured.

In a Dec. 9 assessment of the New Year’s Eve situation in Times Square, federal and local agencies wrote: “We remain concerned about the use of vehicle ramming at high-profile outdoor events…Vehicle ramming has become a recurring tactic used by threat actors in the West, characterized by continued interest in (terrorists, extremists) and lone criminals attacking crowded pedestrian areas.”

New Orleans authorities, describing Wednesday’s event as a “mass casualty incident,” said a vehicle plowed into a large crowd at Canal and Bourbon streets. According to ABC News affiliate WGNO, police said the strike occurred around 3:15 a.m.

“NOEMS transported 30 injured patients and 10 people died,” the city said, using an acronym for New Orleans Emergency Medical Services.

The police superintendent later said that at least 31 people were injured. They were taken to five local hospitals, according to the city. They were at University Medical Center, Touro Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson Campus and Ochsner Baptist Campus.

The New Orleans Police Department said its staff was at “100% capacity” during New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, a college football game played every year on New Year’s Day. The force said an additional 300 officers from partner agencies were on duty.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.