Ten people are reported dead and multiple others injured after a truck drove into crowds of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
In a statement, city authorities said that “The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street.”
“There are 30 injured patients that have been transported by NOEMS and 10 fatalities.”
“Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as they are received.”
The New Orleans Police Department told PEOPLE that the incident happened after the truck driver drove his vehicle down Bourbon Street at a high rate of speed.
He was then killed after he exchanged gunshots with the police around 3 a.m. local time.
CBS News cited a New Orleans Police Department spokesperson as stating “Initial reports show a car may have plowed into a group of people.”
The outlet added that the incident happened as people were heading home from Bourbon Street, in the lively French Quarter of the city.
CBS News reporter Kati Weis added that a truck deliberately drove into the crowd. The driver then got out of the truck and exchanged gunshots with the police.
The incident appeared to be intentional, police said per ABC News.
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