Crime
1 officer shot during car-ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, at least 12 people dead
The driver then exited the truck and began firing a weapon into the crowd, escalating the horror.
New Orleans, LA – Authorities are now investigating a suspicious package at the intersection of Bourbon and Orleans streets in the aftermath of a devastating incident early New Year’s Day that claimed multiple lives and left dozens injured.
Officials have confirmed that the vehicle ramming into a crowd on Bourbon Street was intentional, and the death toll has risen to 12.
Among those injured is a police officer who was shot during the chaos.
The tragedy began when a pickup truck careened into a densely packed crowd on Bourbon Street, a major hub for holiday celebrations.
Witnesses described sheer panic as the vehicle struck pedestrians.
The driver then exited the truck and began firing a weapon into the crowd, escalating the horror.
Police on the scene responded immediately, engaging the suspect in a shootout and fatally neutralizing the threat.
Authorities have since declared the situation a major mass casualty event, with at least 30 additional injuries reported. Thirty individuals have been transported to local hospitals, some with critical injuries.
In the hours following the incident, law enforcement discovered a suspicious package near the corner of Bourbon and Orleans streets.
A bomb squad is currently assessing the situation, and the area has been further secured. Residents and visitors are urged to stay clear of the vicinity as authorities continue their work.
As of now, 12 people are confirmed dead, including a police officer, and dozens more are injured. Emergency services are working tirelessly to treat the wounded and transport them to nearby hospitals.
Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the suspect, who was fatally shot during the exchange of gunfire, nor have they released any information on a potential motive.
Law enforcement officials are treating the attack as intentional but have not disclosed whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a larger coordinated effort. Investigators are piecing together details, including the origins of the suspicious package and the motive behind the attack.
Authorities have issued an urgent advisory for the public to avoid the area while emergency crews and investigators continue to work. Updates on the situation will be provided as more information becomes available.
This is a developing story, and the situation remains highly fluid. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact local authorities. Further updates will follow as details are confirmed.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Authorities in Cleveland are seeking the public’s assistance after the bodies of two unidentified young Black girls were discovered inside separate suitcases buried in shallow graves Monday evening in a residential area on the city’s East Side.
The victims are believed to be between the ages of approximately 8 and 14, according to police.
As of Tuesday, investigators said there were no active missing persons reports in Cleveland that match the descriptions of the children, and their identities remain unknown.
The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
The discovery was made shortly after 7:00 p.m. near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, in a field adjacent to Ginn Academy.
A man walking his dog in the area told authorities that his dog began pulling toward a fence line near a playground. When he investigated, he noticed a suitcase that appeared to be partially buried in the ground.
The man told police he unzipped the suitcase and observed what appeared to be a child’s head inside before immediately contacting authorities.
Officers from the Cleveland Division of Police responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of a shallow grave containing a deceased child inside the suitcase. As detectives and crime scene investigators canvassed the surrounding area, they located a second shallow grave nearby. A second suitcase was recovered, also containing the body of a young girl.
During a news conference, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd described the incident as “a terrible, horrific situation” and acknowledged the profound emotional impact on responding officers and the community.
“This is a traumatic event for our officers and for the community,” Todd said. “This is such a tragic incident, and we are working diligently to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are asking for the community’s help.”
Investigators have not yet determined how long the girls had been buried at the location. Chief Todd emphasized that authorities believe the deaths did not occur recently, though the exact timeline remains under investigation.
“We know that this didn’t just happen,” she said. “We still have to determine exactly when this occurred. At this time, we do not have any indication that this presents a clear, ongoing threat to public safety.”
The bodies have been transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where autopsies will be conducted to establish the cause and manner of death, as well as to assist in identifying the victims.
Police confirmed that the bodies had not been dismembered.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case, including possible sightings of suspicious activity in the area or knowledge of missing children who may not have been formally reported, to contact the Cleveland Division of Police or Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.