Very little information was available about the suspect behind the New Orleans Bourbon Street attack that killed 10 people and hurt at least 30 others during New Year's Eve celebrations.
Armed with a gun, the man who opened fire at first responders after crashing into revellers was killed in the exchange of fire, authorities confirmed. Two police officers were hit by the suspect before their colleagues could retaliate. Both the officers were stable after being shifted to a hospital, New Orleans Police Department said.
New Orleans attack suspect: What we know so far
Louisiana congressman Troy Carter, who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the US media that the suspect is believed to have acted alone. However, he didn't comment on the motive of the attacker.
There is very little information out in the public arena about the man whose identity is yet to be revealed by the authorities. According to a CNN report, the pickup truck used for the brutal attack had Texas license plates.
"He appears to be a lone actor at this point," The Guardian quoted Carter as telling a television channel.
Meanwhile, another report claimed that the suspect was residing in New Orleans, temporarily at least. He was using a short-term rental home St Roch neighbourhood of New Orleans, The Guardian quoted a senior official in law enforcement as saying.
After the neighbourhood was located, people in and around the building were evacuated to safety as the police suspected the man to have stored more explosives there. The owner of the house was also identified, the media report said, but he refused to comment.
New Orleans attack: As it happened
After 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, described by one city leader as being in "full military gear," died after a shootout 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 occurred at 3:15 a.m. local time at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, a historic tourist destination in the city's French Quarter known for attracting large crowds with its music and bars. Kirkpatrick said the driver, who swerved around barricades, fired at police and struck two police officers from the vehicle after it crashed.
