U.S. authorities are describing the gunman behind the attack in New Orleans, which killed 10 people and injured 35 others at 3:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

The gunman drove a van and drove his vehicle at high speed into a crowd of people celebrating the arrival of the New Year on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Then, and while shooting at the crowd, he allegedly got out of the car carrying a shotgun and opened fire on police officers. Two police officers were wounded in the shootout, and the gunman was killed. Improvised explosive devices have been found at the scene, which apparently turned out to be active, and police are searching for more.

So far, the authorities have not released the identity of the alleged gunman or his nationality. However, they are investigating to determine whether the dead man had recently entered the country and whether he was affiliated with ISIS, security sources told ABC News.

Terrorist attack

From the outset, the New Orleans mayor called it a “terrorist attack.” The FBI is leaning toward the same version, of a “terrorist act.”

The attack came in the wake of a similar act of ramming a vehicle in Germany. Security forces had expressed concerns about such attacks, as well as lone gunmen.

According to police inspector Ann Kirkpatrick, the driver tried to kill as many people as possible. The truck used in the attack appears to have been an electric F-150 Lightning. A black flag was found on the vehicle, but so far it is unclear what is going on.

Trump links illegal immigration to deadly attack in New Orleans

Authorities in New Orleans were contacted earlier by U.S. President Joe Biden, who spoke with the mayor and offered federal support.

In contrast, President-elect Donald Trump linked the attack to illegal immigration.

“When I say that the criminals arriving (in the country) are far worse than the criminals we have in the country, that statement has been repeatedly refuted by Democrats and the ‘Fake News Media’, but that has been proven to be true,” he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Police station staffed

The New Orleans Police Department said the attack occurred despite being 100 percent staffed for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, a college football game held annually on the first day of the New Year. An additional 300 officers were on duty from partner agencies, the police department said.

Despite talk of cancelling or postponing the Sugar Bowl, the game was expected to be played Wednesday night, sources said, but some events and parties were canceled.

Local authorities have requested assistance from the FBI, which has been designated to lead the investigation. Meanwhile, a command centre has been set up.

“Insanity”

Jimmy Cothran, who along with a friend was walking on Bourbon Street when the truck attack began, told ABC News they hid inside a bar. When he came out onto the balcony, he reported seeing images of insanity.

“It was like something out of a movie. We counted immediately, we saw 10 bodies,” he said, saying that although he tried to get out and help the injured, he was stopped by security.

Another witness said that when he heard the sound, he initially thought it was fireworks. Looking out his hotel window, he saw a scene of dead bodies in the street.