Tragedy Strikes New Orleans: Sugar Bowl Postponed After Deadly Attack
In a shocking turn of events, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a much-anticipated College Football Playoff quarterfinal, has been postponed following a tragic incident in New Orleans. The city, known for its vibrant culture and lively celebrations, was struck by a deadly pickup truck attack that has left the community reeling. According to officials, at least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured in this horrific event.
Jeff Hundley, the CEO of the Sugar Bowl, addressed the media in a somber news conference, announcing that the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish would be delayed by 24 hours. “For now, that’s the plan,” Hundley stated, emphasizing that more information would be shared as it becomes available.
The decision to postpone the game was made after a thorough security sweep of the Caesars Superdome, where two improvised explosive devices were discovered at the scene of the attack in the French Quarter district. Jason Williams, the district attorney of Orleans Parish, confirmed that investigators were conducting a grid search to ensure no other explosive devices were present.
Despite the chaos, some credentialed Superdome employees were allowed to return to their offices by Wednesday afternoon, a small step towards normalcy in a city shaken by violence.
The attack unfolded around 3:15 a.m. CT in the bustling French Quarter, a renowned destination for New Year’s Eve revelers. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, was killed in a firefight with police after the attack. The FBI, leading the investigation, is treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick described the attacker’s actions as “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” noting the intentional nature of his behavior. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” she added.
Among the injured is at least one Georgia student who suffered critical injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. The Georgia athletic department has confirmed that all team personnel and travel party members have been accounted for, providing some relief amidst the tragedy.
The FBI is delving into Jabbar’s background to uncover any “potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.” An Islamic State group flag was found in the vehicle, raising further concerns about the attack’s motivations. Investigators suspect that Jabbar may not have acted alone.
Both the Georgia and Notre Dame football teams had arrived in New Orleans on Sunday, staying in downtown hotels just blocks away from the site of the attack. The proximity of the teams to the violence has undoubtedly added to the tension surrounding the event.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, where another College Football Playoff quarterfinal was scheduled, the local police department took swift action. They released a statement indicating the deployment of specialized units and additional personnel around Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Peach Bowl, featuring a matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Arizona State Sun Devils, proceeded as planned, offering a semblance of normalcy in the world of college football.
The gravity of the situation has reached the highest levels of government, with the White House confirming that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the attack. Attorney General Merrick Garland has also been kept informed. Speaking to reporters in Delaware, President Biden expressed his “anger and frustration” over the attack, while extending his condolences to the victims and their families. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities,” Biden stated emphatically.
- The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been postponed by 24 hours.
- At least 15 people were killed in the New Orleans attack.
- The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
- Georgia and Notre Dame teams are safe and accounted for.
- Security measures have been heightened in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.
As the investigation unfolds, the sports world stands in solidarity with the people of New Orleans, hoping for healing and justice in the wake of this senseless tragedy.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
