Ten people were killed and at least 35 injured after a man drove his car into a large crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, authorities said.
Here’s what we know so far about what happened and the perpetrator.
How did the attack go?
At 3:15 a.m. local time on New Year’s Day, a Ford pickup plowed into a crowd gathered on Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
CCTV footage shows a white Ford F-150 Lightning driving on the pavement to avoid a police car before hitting the pedestrians.
Police described the act as “very deliberate”, adding that the gunman – identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar – was “hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage he did”.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” said New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick.
Jabbar was also armed and fired at law enforcement, injuring two policemen. He was then killed by police firearms.
Whit Davis, from Shreveport, Louisiana, told the BBC he was locked inside the bar with a large group after the attack while police secured the scene.
When they left, “they walked past dead and injured bodies all over the street,” he said.
Who was Shamsud-Din Jabbar?
The FBI has named the gunman as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran and US citizen from Texas.
A flag associated with the Islamic State group was found in the vehicle he was driving, and the FBI said it was investigating what links Jabbar may have had to terrorist groups.
The agency also said investigators do not believe the suspect is solely responsible for the attack. It is suspected that improvised explosive devices were found in the area.
A long gun with a “suppression device” – which acts as a silencer – was also found.
According to his now-removed LinkedIn profile, Jabbar held various positions in the US military, including human resources and IT, before he was discharged.
He studied at George State University from 2015 to 2017, where he majored in Computer Information Systems.
He also appears to have been involved in real estate, with a license that expired in 2021. He had a criminal record for traffic violations and theft.
The truck he was driving was electric and is believed to have been rented in Texas through an app.
Who were the victims?
Police said 10 people were killed and at least 35 injured. No one has been publicly named.
The president of the University of Georgia said one of his students was critically injured, while the Israeli government said two citizens were among the injured.
Police said the victims appeared to be mostly New Orleans locals, although many tourists came for New Year’s celebrations and the now-postponed Sugar Bowl, part of the American football playoffs.
It was scheduled to begin later Wednesday night at the Caesar Superdome, located not far from the site of the attack.
Where did it happen?
Bourbon Street is a famous nightlife and tourist center that is full of restaurants, bars and clubs with live music.
It is located within the French Quarter of New Orleans, a lively area that attracts tourists and locals alike, especially for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It was founded by the French in 1718, and the original network of streets designed then is at the heart of what attracts visitors to the city.
Each year, more than a million people flock to its famous carnival and Mardi Gras parade in the spring, known for the strings of colorful beads worn by partygoers.
