Biden says New Orleans suspect expressed ‘desire to kill’ as death toll hits 15

A barrier is seen on Royal Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans’ Canal and Bourbon streets (George Walker IV/AP)

A US Army veteran driving a pickup truck that bore the flag of the Islamic State group wrought carnage on New Orleans’ raucous New Year’s celebration, killing 15 people as he steered around a police blockade and slammed into revellers before being shot dead by police.

The FBI said it was investigating the attack early on Wednesday as a terrorist act and did not believe the driver acted alone.