The death toll in New Orleans has increased to 15 after a truck drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street. A man from Raleigh, Brice Harris, was in the area at the time and says he feels fortunate to have been staying just a few blocks away from the scene of the attack.
Harris had gone to New Orleans to celebrate the New Year and see a concert by bluegrass singer Billy Strings. He never imagined that he would witness such a horrifying event.
“I was totally shocked and felt nothing but sadness. It’s just not something you ever expect to see, and it’s terrifying,” Harris explains, still grappling with the shock.
The incident occurred near Harris’ hotel, turning the area into a crime scene. He describes the situation in the streets, where bomb squads were conducting searches and SWAT teams and FBI agents secured the area. Harris was even escorted out of his hotel, which was located just yards from where the truck crashed and where the suspect’s body was found.
“The area around our hotel was blocked off by authorities. There were SWAT teams and FBI agents everywhere. Bomb squads were checking nearby buildings, and we could see bodies covered in body bags lying on the street. It was a truly horrifying sight,” says Harris.
Reflecting on the attack, Harris says he feels lucky to have been spared, especially after realizing how close he was to being caught up in the tragedy. A last-minute decision to attend a different show with friends may have saved his life.
“If we hadn’t been told by some friends to go to another concert, just a little further down the street, we would have been in the middle of it all,” Harris says, realizing how easily he could have been a victim.
Law enforcement officials are still investigating the deadly attack, and experts are calling for heightened awareness, especially during large public events like the one in New Orleans. Former FBI special agent Frank Brostrom stressed the need for better preparedness and vigilance in all cities.
“We need to remove complacency in law enforcement at all levels. It’s not about building barriers, but about changing the attitude that this sort of thing can’t happen here. We have to be ready,” Brostrom says.
As for Harris, he continues to process what happened. While he is still shaken by the events, he is focusing on staying positive and counting his blessings.
“We should live with love and kindness, especially in times like these. There’s too much hatred in the world, and we need to counter it with compassion,” he says.
Harris remains in New Orleans for now. He says there is still a security perimeter in place, and he needs to be escorted when moving around the area. However, he has been able to contact his family in North Carolina, and he plans to return to Raleigh on Friday.
(Source: newsbreak.com)
