NEW ORLEANS –
The FBI is investigating an attack early Wednesday in which a U.S. Army veteran drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans, killing 15 people.
The driver had posted videos on social media hours before the massacre saying he had been inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing his desire to kill, US President Joe Biden said.
The FBI identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those who died in the attack, but their families and friends have begun to share their stories. About 30 people were injured.
Here’s the latest:
Sugar Bowl rescheduled
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals in the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame were postponed one day due to the truck attack, which took place about a mile away.
The game, originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CST at the 70,000-seat Superdome on Wednesday, was delayed until 3 p.m. Thursday. The winner advances to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against Penn State.
“Public safety is paramount,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said at a news conference alongside federal, state and local officials, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “All parties agree that postponing the game is in the best interest of everyone and public safety.”
The decision to postpone the game meant that many fans traveling with tickets would not be able to attend. Online ticket prices plummeted in some cases to less than $25 as fans planning to leave on Thursday tried to part with them.
The Superdome was closed for security checks Wednesday morning. Both teams spent most of the day in their hotels, holding meetings in ballrooms.
What we know about the victims
Authorities have not yet released the names of the 15 people who died in the New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans, but their families and friends have begun sharing their stories.
Read more about an aspiring nurse, a soccer star, a single mother, and a father of two.
What we know about the vehicle attack
Authorities say the driver of a pickup truck sped through a crowd of pedestrians gathered in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 30 more. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and said it does not believe the driver acted alone.
Wednesday’s attack took place on Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the top destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. Large crowds had also gathered in the city ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in the Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled for later Wednesday at the nearby Superdome. The game was postponed until Thursday afternoon following the attack.
