The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans was on lockdown Wednesday for security sweeps after a truck plowed into a New Year’s crowd about a mile away, killing 10 people and injuring at least 35.
There was no immediate word that the Sugar Bowl, scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET, might be delayed. The game between Notre Dame and Georgia is serving as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that there was no immediate indication that the game would be delayed but that officials were waiting to get an all-clear from authorities that it would be safe to keep the event at the 70,000-seat stadium on schedule. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive and fluid nature of the discussions with authorities.
New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said earlier Wednesday that the Sugar Bowl would be played as scheduled.
Atlanta Police released a statement saying they would deploy specialized units and additional personnel to the area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta is hosting another College Football Playoff quarterfinal with the Peach Bowl, with Texas facing Arizona State.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. CT Wednesday in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. The driver of the vehicle was killed in a firefight with police following the attack, the FBI said, adding that it was heading an investigation “with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.
After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver emerged from the truck and opened fire on responding officers, New Orleans police said. Officers returned fire, striking and killing the driver, police said.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.
NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals. Two police officers who were shot after the driver emerged from the truck are in stable condition, Kirkpatrick said.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement. “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 Georgia and Notre Dame football teams arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and have been staying at downtown hotels just blocks away from where the violence occurred.
The University of Georgia said in a statement that it was “horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence.”
“University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims,” the school said. “We offer our deepest condolences to all the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with the New Orleans community.”
Notre Dame president the Rev. Robert A. Dowd said the school’s “prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning. We also pray for all those injured and extend our deepest gratitude to the brave first responders who risked their lives to protect others.”
As part of the lockdown, people with offices in the Superdome — including officials with the Sugar Bowl and Sun Belt Conference — were told not to come into work until further notice.
The Superdome, which is about 20 blocks away from Wednesday’s attack, also is scheduled to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
“What you’ll see today for the Sugar Bowl, which will go on, is that the perimeter for security around the Superdome has been extended to be a larger zone,” New Orleans City Council president Helena Moreno told WDSU-TV. “So expect obviously extra security. There are more police officers who are coming in.”
The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the attack, and the Justice Department said Attorney General Merrick Garland was also briefed.
Biden, speaking to reporters in Delaware, said he felt “anger and frustration” over the attack but would refrain from further comment until more is known.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” Biden said in a statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
The New Orleans Saints, who play in the Superdome, and Pelicans said in a statement posted to X that their “hearts go out to all victims and their families during this difficult time.” A number of Saints players, including Derek Carr and Cameron Jordan, also shared their sympathies on social media.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.
