One man was killed and nine people were injured during a shooting attack in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Police Superintendent Michael Harrison said officers responded about 1:30am local time on Sunday to the shooting at the intersection of Iberville and Bourbon streets.

The shooting victims were two women and eight men, ranging in age from 20 to 37, he said. One man died at a hospital.

Mr Harrison said police do not know what motivated the shooting, but one male victim was among two men arrested on firearms charges.

He said the shooting happened despite an increased police presence for the Bayou Classic football game on Saturday night between Southern and Grambling universities. He said officers were nearby, heard the shots and ran toward them.

Mr Harrison asked that anyone witnessing the shooting to call police so "we can hold those accountable who committed this heinous crime and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law".

During a news conference with Mr Harrison, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said authorities would pursue the shooters "very, very aggressively".

"It's totally unacceptable," Mr Landrieu said. "I mean, the violence just continues to spin out of control with people brandishing weapons whenever they think they can."

An investigation continues.

AP