The Allstate Sugar Bowl will not be played Wednesday following a deadly pickup truck attack in New Orleans that killed at least 10 and injured dozens more.
Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a news conference that the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame would be delayed to Thursday and that more information would be released as possible.
“Public safety is paramount,” Hundley said at a media briefing alongside federal, state and local officials, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “All parties all agree that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours.”
The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday evening, but will start on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. Sources earlier told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that both teams had discussed having an earlier kickoff time, citing the importance of rest and recovery. The winner of the Sugar Bowl will face Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.
Hundley said in a statement that work was underway to “take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”
“We are grateful to the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work together to ensure we can provide a safe environment for everyone,” he said.
The decision to postpone the game came after the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans underwent a security sweep as two improvised explosive devices were found at the scene of the attack in the French Quarter district. Jason Williams, the district attorney of Orleans Parish, which includes New Orleans, told ABC News that investigators were conducting a grid search to determine whether other explosive devices were planted.
Some credentialed Superdome employees were permitted into offices by Wednesday afternoon.
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 — identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas — emerged from the truck and opened fire on responding officers, New Orleans police said. Officers returned fire, striking and killing Jabbar, police said.
Officials maintained during the Wednesday afternoon news conference that 10 people had been killed in the attack, though U.S. Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana told ABC News on Wednesday afternoon that the number of people killed had risen to 15 and that another 25 people were hospitalized with injuries.
Among the dead was former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, an All-Ivy League kick returner. Former TCU wide receiver Jack Bech addressed his older brother’s death in a post on X, writing in part, “You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment.”
At least one Georgia student suffered critical injuries in the attack and was receiving medical treatment, the school said. Statements from the University of Georgia Athletic Association and Notre Dame said both schools had accounted for all team personnel and members of official travel parties.
The Georgia and Notre Dame football teams arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and have been staying at downtown hotels just blocks from where the violence occurred.
“The decision to postpone tonight’s Sugar Bowl was made in the best interest of public safety,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Lives were tragically lost last night and we are appreciative that public officials and law enforcement agencies continue to work with great diligence to ensure the safety of the New Orleans community.”
Authorities said Jabbar drove onto a sidewalk, going around a police car that was positioned to block vehicular traffic and protect Bourbon Street revelers. A barrier system designed to prevent vehicle attacks was undergoing repairs in preparation for the Super Bowl, which is being played in the city in February.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said earlier Wednesday. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
The FBI said it was investigating Jabbar to determine “potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.” An Islamic State group flag was recovered in the vehicle driven by Jabbar. Investigators do not believe Jabbar was “solely responsible” for the attack, the FBI said. According to the agency’s intelligence bulletin, surveillance footage showed three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices in the French Quarter.
Atlanta police released a statement saying they would deploy specialized units and additional personnel to the area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta hosted another College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Peach Bowl, with Texas facing Arizona State in a game that kicked off as scheduled.
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.”
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
