NEW ORLEANS, La. — A vehicle drove into a crowd of pedestrians early Wednesday morning at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets, leaving 10 people dead and 35 injured before the suspect was killed in a shootout with police, according to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).
The incident occurred at approximately 3:17 a.m. when police received reports of a vehicle striking multiple pedestrians along Bourbon Street, a popular destination in the French Quarter. The vehicle came to a stop after crashing, at which point the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers. Police returned fire, fatally striking the suspect at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that 10 victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while 35 others sustained injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. No updates on the conditions of the injured victims have been released.
Two NOPD officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire and were transported to a local hospital, where they remain in stable condition. Police have not yet released details about the identity of the suspect or the potential motive behind the attack.
The area surrounding Bourbon Street from Canal to Dumaine Streets remains closed as authorities investigate. Officials have scheduled a press briefing for 11:00 a.m. CST to provide updates on the incident.