A severely damaged wheelchair was photographed next to the Ford F-150 EV involved in a terror attack that claimed 15 lives in New Orleans, raising fears that a disabled individual may be among the victims.
The chilling image captures the wrecked mobility aid abandoned near the electric vehicle used in Wednesday morning’s attack on Bourbon Street. The wheelchair’s seat was pushed back, and its arm and leg supports were visibly bent, indicating its user may have been part of the tragedy.
While authorities have yet to release all the names of the 15 fatalities and 31 injured, they believe most victims were locals rather than tourists.
The attacker, clad in body armor, opened fire with a rifle after ramming the Ford F-150 Lightning into a cherry picker. He injured two police officers before being fatally shot.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, capable of reaching 60 mph in under four seconds, was reportedly traveling at around 80 mph when it struck New Year’s revelers.
FBI agents are investigating the attack, with Fox News reporting that the vehicle, which bore Texas license plates, had crossed into the U.S. from Mexico at the Eagle Pass checkpoint two days earlier. Explosive devices that failed to detonate were later discovered at the crash site.
Videos from the scene showed what appeared to be a black flag secured to a pole on the truck, though subsequent footage depicted a silver covering wrapped around the flagpole. It remains unclear if investigators placed the covering over the flag.
The incident unfolded at approximately 3:15 a.m. local time, when the truck plowed into a crowd at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
Social media videos showed chaos at the popular tourist destination as crowds fled amidst gunfire. Surveillance footage revealed officers stationed for New Year’s festivities rushing to the scene. Around a dozen officers raced through panicked crowds to respond.
Ambulances transported the injured to five area hospitals, according to city officials. The FBI has since taken over the investigation.
A witness who claimed to be present with his wife described on social media how he saw the SUV “speeding down the road and running people over.”
Another witness told WLWT she saw the vehicle hit the crowd before officers opened fire. “I started running and only escaped by the grace of God,” she said.
Kevin Garcia, 22, recounted that the vehicle was “slamming into everyone on the left side of the Bourbon sidewalk.” He heard gunfire and saw “a body come flying” toward him, according to CNN.
Whit Davis, 22, of Shreveport, Louisiana, told the BBC he was in a nightclub when the attack occurred. “When we were finally allowed to leave, we walked past dead and injured bodies all over the street.” Bourbon Street, known for its lively bars and clubs, has been shut down as authorities continue their investigation.
“The 8th District is currently working a mass casualty incident involving a vehicle that drove into a large crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street,” NOLA Ready, the city’s disaster preparedness agency, stated. “There are 30 injured patients transported by NOEMS. Public safety partners are responding on scene. Updates will follow as received.”
The attack happened as New Year’s celebrations neared their conclusion and hours before the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome, an event expected to draw thousands.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry condemned the “horrific” act and expressed solidarity with victims and first responders. “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,” Landry tweeted. “Please join Sharon and me in praying for all the victims and first responders. I urge everyone to avoid the area.”
The White House reported that President Biden has been briefed on the incident and is in contact with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer support. “The FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement, and the President will continue to receive updates throughout the day,” a statement from the White House read.
