Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

New Orleans Announces Decision On Sugar Bowl After Truck Attack

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Jan 1, 2025 9:49 AM ET

The city of New Orleans is in shock this morning following last night's deadly attack on Bourbon Street.

Ten people are dead and dozens more injured after a driver plowed into a crowd at around 3:15 a.m. as New Year's Eve celebrations were wrapping up. According to reports, the driver, a man, was shot and killed by police after exiting his truck. New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said the man was "hellbent on creating the carnage that he did."

""It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could," Kirkpatrick said.

While the tragedy remains under investigation and the city is still reeling from the news, Kirkpatrick added that police will "work to ensure safety" at the Sugar Bowl, which is set to be played later tonight, indicating that the game will take place as scheduled.

This year's Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia is the last of four College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for approximately 8:45 p.m. ET.

ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 07: Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (2) attempts to catch a pass as Georgia defensive back Daniel Harris (7) defends during the SEC Championship Game between the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 7th, 2027 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

"The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning," Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement this morning. "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."

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called this morning's incident "a terrorist attack," and the FBI confirmed it is investigating the matter as "an act of terrorism."

“This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others,” the FBI said in a statement. “The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”

We will keep you updated on this story throughout the day.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: