Absolutely horrific news to wake up to on this first day of the new year.
I’m sure you’ve probably heard by now, but last night around 3 AM a man drove his pickup truck into a crowd of people celebrating the new year on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35.
The suspect got out of the truck after he crashed into what appears to be a construction lift and began firing at police. Two officers were shot before the suspect was killed by gunfire.
We still don’t have a motive yet, but it’s been reported that the suspect had a homemade explosive device in his truck and the FBI has announced they are investigating the horrific incident as a terrorist attack after initially claiming that it was NOT terrorism:
Statement from the FBI on the situation in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/tSdaD8j2Cx
— FBI New Orleans (@FBINewOrleans) January 1, 2025
Video from the scene that’s been posted to Twitter/X is absolutely horrific, with presumably-dead bodies laying in the street as frantic bystanders and first responders attempt to render aid.
Obviously the attack could have been much worse had it taken place earlier in the evening when the crowd was much bigger, but it’s absolutely heartbreaking to think of all those innocent people who were killed while they were just out trying to have a good time.
Of course one of the main questions on everyone’s mind is why Bourbon Street wasn’t blocked off to traffic. A few years ago the city of New Orleans installed permanent bollards at the entrance to the famous party street, but those have recently been removed as the city works to replace them ahead of the Super Bowl next month, which will take place at the Caesars Superdome just a few blocks from the attack.
But before the Super Bowl, the city is also preparing to host the Sugar Bowl tonight, a second-round college football playoff game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Naturally there are quite a few fans of both teams who traveled to New Orleans for the game, and this morning the University of Georgia said they were working to determine whether anyone associated with the university was hurt in the attack:
We are horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans. University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims. We offer our deepest…
— UGA (@universityofga) January 1, 2025
At a press conference after the incident, New Orleans Police Department Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick indicated that the game would proceed as scheduled:
“We want our community and our visitors to continue to enjoy – there’s so much to enjoy about New Orleans, and we are going to make sure that our routes and the Superdome are safe today for the game. And yeah, we had this tragic event, and we’re sorry again to everyone in the community. But we do want you to go about the day, as we say, just stay away from Bourbon.”
Kind of a weird thing to say. “Yeah, there was a terrorist attack, but just go have fun.”
While the game appears to be on track to proceed as scheduled, there are quite a few people online who believe that it should be postponed or moved in light of the tragedy – and because of ongoing concerns about safety and further attacks, especially as police continue to sweep the area for explosive devices.
cancel the game!!!
football is not more important than the lives lost or any more potential injuries that could happen. teams and players should refuse. https://t.co/xFijbUbYLC
— megatron’s PR manager (@ohioinmymind) January 1, 2025
Major failure by New Orleans and Louisiana officials! Cancel the Sugar Bowl. The area still is not safe, per the mayor!!! The idiotic police chief said to keep partying!! What!!?? This should be a day of National mourning. #uga #universityofgeorgia
— Schraz8 (@Schraz8) January 1, 2025
I think it should be postponed a day or 2. It's in bad taste to hold another large gathering the same day an attack happened in another large crowd. https://t.co/2JJWb7knBq
— Robert 🌲 (@RobertPorubsky) January 1, 2025
this is fucking crazy https://t.co/mUT1VdVzJa
— b 🐅 (@brittcedes44) January 1, 2025
Makes no sense to play this game after terrorist attack just happened minutes from the stadium 💤 https://t.co/80F6VV5xZm
— charbroil (@Brrrrrrrrrrrkl) January 1, 2025
i just… man. idk. i was rly looking forward to this game, but i kinda really dont want it to happen. https://t.co/dOAIMZxDYR
— 🎄🧑🎄CHRISTMAS BILLY🧑🎄🎄 (@lilsquilz) January 1, 2025
Word????????? This sounds like a really bad idea. https://t.co/oROVdMYCfw
— Lil King Tra$hmouth (@HeelStCloud) January 1, 2025
If you’re planning on attending the Sugar Bowl tonight, do you trust the FBI and law enforcement to tell you the truth about whether or not it’s safe?
I wouldn’t.
— AppPatriotgirl 🇺🇸 (@jsmith4966) January 1, 2025
The Sugar Bowl released a statement following the attack that didn’t confirm the game would still go forward, but saying that they were “in ongoing discussions” with the authorities on the scene, so it does sound like there’s at least the possibility of postponing the game if it’s determined that there are ongoing threats.
“We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
🙏 for New Orleans. Absolutely horrible.
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) January 1, 2025
Either way, just an absolutely devastating scene in one of the greatest cities in the world. I used to live in New Orleans, and it’s still my favorite city and one that I go back to as much as I can. (I’m riding in a Mardi Gras parade next month and my family has already told me this morning that I shouldn’t go).
For all of its problems (like the inept government, the crime, the dirty streets), the culture in New Orleans is unmatched by anywhere else that I’ve ever been. There’s so much joy there, and to see it all taken away by a terrible act like this is just heartbreaking.
