New Orleans’ police commissioner mentioned the Allstate Sugar Bowl will probably be performed as scheduled Wednesday night time amid an investigation after a driver in a pickup truck plowed through crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 10 and injuring not less than 35.
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick mentioned officers would work to make sure security on the Sugar Bowl, indicating that the sport would go on as scheduled.
The assault occurred round 3:15 a.m. CT Wednesday in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, recognized worldwide as one of many largest locations for New Year’s Eve events. Crowds within the metropolis had additionally ballooned in anticipation of the College Football Playoff sport between Georgia and Notre Dame on the close by Superdome on Wednesday night time.
The driver of the car was killed in a firefight with police following the assault, the FBI mentioned, including that it was heading an investigation “with our companions to analyze this as an act of terrorism.”
After the car got here to a cease, the driving force emerged from the truck and opened hearth on responding officers, New Orleans police mentioned. Officers returned hearth, putting and killing the driving force, police mentioned.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the injury that he did,” Kirkpatrick mentioned. “It was very intentional conduct. This man was making an attempt to run over as many individuals as he may.”
Alethea Duncan, an assistant particular agent answerable for the FBI’s New Orleans subject workplace, mentioned officers have been investigating the invention of not less than one suspected improvised explosive gadget on the scene.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the horrible occasions from early this morning,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley mentioned in an announcement. “Our ideas and prayers are with the victims and their households. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the native, state, and federal ranges and can talk additional particulars as they turn out to be out there.”
The University of Georgia mentioned in an announcement that it was “horrified and saddened by the mindless act of violence.
“University personnel are working to find out if any UGA college students, college, workers, alumni or followers have been among the many victims,” the college mentioned. “We provide our deepest condolences to all of the victims and their households, and we stand in solidarity with the New Orleans neighborhood.”
Atlanta Police launched an announcement saying they’d deploy specialised items and extra personnel to the world round Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta is internet hosting one other College Football Playoff quarterfinal with the Peach Bowl, with Texas dealing with Arizona State.
NOLA Ready, town’s emergency preparedness division, mentioned the injured had been taken to 5 native hospitals. Two law enforcement officials who have been shot after the driving force emerged from the truck are in secure situation, Kirkpatrick mentioned.
The White House mentioned President Joe Biden had been briefed on the assault, and the Justice Department mentioned Attorney General Merrick Garland was additionally briefed.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
