The College Football Playoff quarterfinal on the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame is not going to be performed Wednesday following a deadly pickup truck attack in New Orleans that killed 15 folks and injured dozens extra.
The sport, initially scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Central on the 70,000-seat Caesars Superdome, was been pushed again to three p.m. Thursday. The winner advances to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl in opposition to Penn State.
“Public security is paramount,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley mentioned at a media briefing alongside federal, state and native officers, together with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “All events all agree that it is in the perfect curiosity of everyone and public security that we postpone the sport.”
Hundley mentioned in a later assertion that work was underway to “deal with the main points to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, enjoyable, and secure occasion that it has been for over 90 years.”
“We are grateful to the management of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work collectively to make sure we are able to present a secure setting for everybody,” he mentioned.
Landry added that he says he’ll attend the Sugar Bowl and is assured the world in and across the stadium will probably be secure.
The determination to postpone the sport got here after the Superdome underwent a safety sweep after two improvised explosive units had been discovered on the scene of the assault within the French Quarter district. Jason Williams, the district legal professional of Orleans Parish, which incorporates New Orleans, informed ABC News that investigators had been conducting a grid search to find out whether or not different explosive units had been planted.
Some credentialed Superdome staff had been permitted into places of work by Wednesday afternoon.
The assault, which additionally injured greater than 30 folks, occurred round 3:15 a.m. CT Wednesday in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, identified worldwide as one of many largest locations for New Year’s Eve events. 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 research this as an act of terrorism.”
The car rammed right into a crowd of individuals on Bourbon Street, and after it got here to a cease, the motive force — recognized as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas — emerged from the truck and opened hearth on responding officers, New Orleans police mentioned. Officers returned hearth, placing and killing Jabbar, police mentioned.
Among the lifeless was former Princeton soccer participant Tiger Bech, an All-Ivy League kick returner. Former TCU vast receiver Jack Bech addressed his older brother’s demise in a post on X, writing partially, “You impressed me on a regular basis now you get to be with me in each second.”
At least one Georgia pupil suffered vital accidents within the assault and was receiving medical therapy, the varsity mentioned. Statements from the University of Georgia Athletic Association and Notre Dame mentioned each colleges had accounted for all staff personnel and members of official journey events.
The Georgia and Notre Dame soccer groups arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and have been staying at downtown accommodations simply blocks from the place the violence occurred.
“The determination to postpone tonight’s Sugar Bowl was made in the perfect curiosity of public security,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey mentioned in a press release. “Lives had been tragically misplaced final evening and we’re appreciative that public officers and regulation enforcement businesses proceed to work with nice diligence to make sure the security of the New Orleans group.”
Authorities mentioned Jabbar drove onto a sidewalk, going round a police automobile that was positioned to dam vehicular visitors and shield Bourbon Street revelers. A barrier system designed to forestall car assaults was present process repairs in preparation for the Super Bowl, which is being performed within the metropolis in February.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the harm that he did,” New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick mentioned earlier Wednesday. “It was very intentional habits. This man was attempting to run over as many individuals as he may.”
The FBI mentioned it was investigating Jabbar to find out “potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.” An Islamic State group flag was recovered within the car pushed by Jabbar. Investigators don’t consider Jabbar was “solely accountable” for the assault, the FBI mentioned. According to the company’s intelligence bulletin, surveillance footage confirmed three males and a girl inserting one in every of a number of improvised explosive units within the French Quarter.
Atlanta police launched a press release saying they might deploy specialised items and extra personnel to the world round Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta hosted one other College Football Playoff quarterfinal within the Peach Bowl, with Texas going through Arizona State in a sport that kicked off as scheduled.
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.
Biden, chatting with reporters in Delaware, mentioned he felt “anger and frustration” over the assault however would chorus from additional remark till extra is thought.
“My coronary heart goes out to the victims and their households who had been merely attempting to have fun the vacation,” Biden mentioned in a press release. “There is not any justification for violence of any form, and we is not going to tolerate any assault on any of our nation’s communities.”
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
