Truck attack in New Orleans kills 10; FBI probing terrorism angle

The driver, who swerved around barricades, fired at cops and struck them from the vehicle after it finally crashed, eyewitnesses said

- Agencies

WASHINGTON: A driver crashed his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's Day in New Orleans' French Quarter and opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring more than 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.

The suspect died after a shoot-out with police, law enforcement officials said.

"This man was trying to run over as many people as he could," Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a televised press conference on Wednesday. "He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did."

The incident at 3:15 am (local time) occurred at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets during New Year's celebrations, the city said in a statement. Bourbon Street is a historic tourist destination in the city's French Quarter, known for attracting large crowds with its music and bars.