Briton is among those killed in a car attack in New Orleans
A British man was among at least 14 people killed in a car attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, the Foreign Office has confirmed.
He has been named by the Metropolitan Police as Edward Pettifer, 31, from Chelsea, London.
In a statement, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said it supports the family of the deceased.
During the attack, a man in a truck plowed into crowds on Bourbon Street before being killed by police.
The New Orleans coroner gave Mr. Pettifer’s initial cause of death as “brutal injuries” on Bourbon Street, the PA reported.
In a statement, Mr Pettifer’s family said: “The whole family is devastated by the sad news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to many.
“He will be sorely missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost family members to this terrible tragedy. We ask that we mourn Ed’s loss privately as a family. Thank you.”
A famous American college football player, a young nurse as well and the mother of a four-year-old child is among the victims.
Their names were released by family and relatives before US authorities completed an autopsy.
The attack is believed to have been carried out by a 42-year-old Texas resident and US Army veteran.
After driving the truck through the crowd, the suspect allegedly got out and fired a weapon before being shot dead by the police.
The FBI says an Islamic State group flag was found inside the car.
Two explosive devices were also found nearby, according to police.
The suspect, whose name is Shamsud-Din Jabbar, he is believed to have acted alone “for a planned and malicious act”, the FBI said.
At least 39 other people were injured in the attack, which took place in the city’s French Quarter – a bustling area popular with locals and tourists – at around 03:15 (09:15 GMT) on Wednesday.
Some of the injured have been released from the hospital but there are more than ten, others are being treated in the ICU.
Bourbon Street opened to the public Thursday morning ahead of the Sugar Bowl, the highly anticipated college game between Notre Dame and the University of Georgia, which draws thousands of attendees.
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