The perpetrator has been identified as a 42-year-old American citizen from Texas, announces the FBI. An IS flag and weapons have been found in the car, and two homemade bombs in the French Quarter district where the incident occurred.
What I can say is that the person was a war veteran, says special agent Alethea Duncan, FBI, at a press conference.
The FBI is investigating possible links to foreign terrorist organizations. They suspect that the man did not act alone.
People who claim to have witnessed the event describe it as a white car being driven at high speed along the street, which was full of partying people.
The city of New Orleans has been hit by a terrorist attack that is still being investigated, said Mayor LaToya Cantrell earlier at a press conference.
The public is asked to stay away from the crime scene.
Deliberate
The incident occurred at 03:15 local time.
Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick describes at a press conference how the driver's behavior was "very deliberate". She also confirms that the man started shooting at the police after the car crashed on the street. Two police officers have been injured, but their condition is reported to be stable.
He was determined to create the bloodbath and do the harm he did, says Kirkpatrick.
The perpetrator is dead after a shootout with the police, confirms the FBI.
Investigated as a terrorist attack
The incident is being investigated as a suspected terrorist attack, and the US Department of Homeland Security is cooperating with the FBI in the investigation.
Besides the fatalities, at least 35 people have been injured, according to AFP. Several of them are critically injured. The majority of those affected are reported to be locals.
Bourbon Street is internationally known as a party street, especially during New Year's Eve and the Mardi Gras carnival. The street may be closed for up to two days while the crime scene investigation is ongoing, according to local authorities.
The annual college football match, Sugar Bowl, a major event in the city, has been cancelled due to the incident.
Biden offers support
US President Joe Biden has been informed about the incident and has offered "100% federal support" after the "horrific news", according to the White House.
"It is impossible to justify violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate attacks on communities in our country", says Biden in a statement.
Biden also praises the police's "brave and swift actions" for preventing "even more deaths and injuries."
