President Joe Biden has promised to provide full support and resources to investigate a terrifying attack in New Orleans that left 10 people dead and about 35 others injured on New Year’s Day. The incident happened early in the morning when a driver of a pickup truck plowed through a crowd on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a popular area for celebrating the holiday.
After the crash, the driver was killed in a shootout with police. Two officers were injured but are now in stable condition. The FBI has since taken charge of the investigation and is treating the incident as an act of terrorism. Biden said he has been in constant contact with federal law enforcement officials, the Homeland Security team, and the mayor of New Orleans, staying up to date on the developments.
In his statement, the president expressed his gratitude for the swift actions of local law enforcement, which he said prevented even more deaths and injuries. He assured the public that the government would make sure law enforcement agencies at all levels have everything they need to investigate and respond. He also promised to continue providing updates as more information becomes available.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” Biden said. “There’s no excuse for violence like this, and we will not stand for any attack on our communities.”
The tragedy occurred at around 3:15 a.m. when the driver purposely drove into a crowd, as confirmed by New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. She emphasized that the incident was intentional, stating the driver’s aim appeared to be to run over as many people as possible, not a case of someone driving under the influence.
While details about the suspect are still unclear, the FBI has confirmed that it is working closely with its partners to determine the full scope of the situation and bring justice to those affected. Police are expected to provide an update later in the day.
