New Orleans Prepares for Sugar Bowl Amidst Tragedy on Bourbon Street
In a city known for its vibrant celebrations and rich cultural tapestry, New Orleans finds itself grappling with a tragic event that has cast a shadow over its festive spirit. As the Allstate Sugar Bowl approaches, the city is reeling from a horrific incident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A driver in a pickup truck plowed through crowds on Bourbon Street, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuring at least 35 others.
Despite the tragedy, Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick has assured the public that the Sugar Bowl will proceed as planned. She emphasized that officers are committed to ensuring the safety of all attendees at the game, which is set to take place at the Superdome on Wednesday night.
The attack unfolded at approximately 3:15 a.m. CT in the French Quarter, a district renowned for its bustling New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year, the crowds were even larger than usual, with many visitors in town for the highly anticipated College Football Playoff game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The driver, whose actions have been described as deliberate and malicious, was killed in a confrontation with police. The FBI is leading the investigation, treating the incident as an act of terrorism. After the vehicle came to a halt, the driver exited the truck and opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire, ultimately killing the suspect.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick stated. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, revealed that at least one suspected improvised explosive device was found at the scene.
The Sugar Bowl Committee, deeply affected by the morning’s events, expressed their sorrow through a statement from CEO Jeff Hundley: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
The University of Georgia also released a statement, expressing their horror and sadness over the senseless violence. They are currently working to determine if any of their community members were among the victims. “We offer our deepest condolences to all the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with the New Orleans community,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, where another College Football Playoff quarterfinal is set to take place with the Peach Bowl featuring the Texas Longhorns and the Arizona State Sun Devils, police have announced the deployment of specialized units and additional personnel to ensure safety around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In the aftermath of the attack, NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, reported that the injured were transported to five local hospitals. Commissioner Kirkpatrick confirmed that two police officers who were shot during the incident are in stable condition.
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. Additionally, the Justice Department stated that Attorney General Merrick Garland has also been informed.
- 10 people killed in the attack
- At least 35 injured
- Driver killed in a firefight with police
- FBI leading the investigation as an act of terrorism
- Suspected improvised explosive device found at the scene
As New Orleans prepares for the Sugar Bowl, the city is determined to move forward while honoring the victims of this senseless tragedy. The resilience of the community and the commitment of law enforcement to ensure safety are at the forefront as the city navigates this challenging time.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
