Bourbon Street New Orleans 5 Updates: How attacker crashed truck, shot at police officers during New Year's Eve celebration

A truck drove into a crowd on New Orleans' famed Canal and Bourbon Street in the first hours of New Year's Day, killing 10 people and injuring at least 30 others. The injured had been taken to five local hospitals and the authorities advised people to stay away from the area. 

The incident occurred at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets during New Year's Eve celebrations, the New York Times reported. As things stand, here are five latest updates that we know so far about the shocking development that rocked New Orleans amidst the frenzy and panache of the New Year.

A member of the emergency services attends the scene after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street | AP

1. The incident came at 3.15 am toward the end of New Year's celebrations in New Orleans. Mayor LaToya Cantrell declared the incident to be a terrorist attack, the Associated Press said in a report. The FBI is leading the investigation, the report added.

2. However, during the time of compiling this report, the FBI maintained that it was "not a terrorist event."  On the other hand, the New Orleans Police Department also confirmed that it was "not a DUI (Driving under the influence) situation."

3. CBS News, citing witnesses, reported that a truck had crashed into the crowd at high speed before he driver got out and started firing a weapon, forcing police personnel to shoot back.

4. According to the Washington Post, the suspect managed to shoot and injure two police officials, whose condition is now said to be stable. He reportedly went around barricades to crash into the crowd before firing at the officers on the spot.

5. According to the Associated Press, Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.

UPDATE: The FBI confirmed that the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.