In the aftermath of a devastating terrorist attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter, officials have postponed the Sugar Bowl for 24 hours as officials continue to conduct security checks and the city remains on high alert.
The game, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame, will not be played until Thursday evening after initially being scheduled for 8:45pm ET on New Year’s Day.
In a law enforcement press conference, officials with the Sugar Bowl say that ESPN, the Southeastern Conference, and both schools ‘all agreed’ to postpone the game for 24 hours in order to ensure the safety of all those involved.
Law enforcement officials – including the FBI– are investigating the mass casualty event as a terrorist attack after 15 people were killed and at least 30 were injured in the early morning hours on Wednesday.
Per ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, the Georgia football team has been sheltering in place. In separate statements, both teams say all their personnel have been accounted for.
Authorities shut down the Caesars Superdome in order to sweep it for security purposes, with the attack taking place about ten blocks away from the stadium at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street.
The Sugar Bowl – set to be played on Wednesday night between Notre Dame and Georgia – has been postponed 24 hours in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter
In a press conference, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry has said that the Superdome and the surrounding area ‘is safe’.
This comes after initial reports from New Orleans police indicated that the game would go on as scheduled.
Police said they would be checking the area to ensure the matchup would be played safely while Sugar Bowl officials indicated they were in contact with authorities.
‘The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning,’ Sugar Bowl Committee CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement earlier on Wednesday.
‘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.’
A white Ford truck accelerated through the busy intersection, a popular tourist destination within the city, and ‘intentionally’ plowed into people at around 3:15am local time.
Then, a shootout involving the driver of the vehicle and police officers followed – leading to the death of the suspect.
Officials in New Orleans say the suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, an American citizen from Texas.
At least 15 people died after a driver rammed into the large group at high speed in New Orleans
Shamsud Din Jabbar (pictured), 42, has been identified as the driver who massacred pedestrians
Officials also say that the truck Din Jabbar was driving was possibly rented and that an ISIS flag was found on the trailer hitch of the truck.
Police recovered a handgun, an AR-style rifle, and bombs from the bloody scene.
Officials say that two improvised explosive devices were found in the area and they have been ‘rendered safe’ as they continue to look for any other bombs.
Authorities believe that Din Jabbar was not solely responsible for this attack and are asking the public for help if they’ve had any interactions with him recently.
The attack comes weeks before the city is set to host Super BowlLIX and has raised security fears leading up to that event.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, athletes from the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA‘s New Orleans Pelicans have paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the violence.
Officials say that New Orleans police officers injured in the attack are recovering in the hospital.