Sugar Bowl postponed, Superdome in New Orleans on lockdown for security sweeps after deadly truck attack

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) — The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been postponed following the tragic attack on Bourbon Street that left at least 15 dead and at least 35 injured.

The Sugar Bowl was originally expected to start at 7:45 p.m. local time Wednesday.

New Orleans Councilman Joe Giarrusso announced the decision to postpone the game amid ongoing investigations, heightened security measures, and a need to ensure public safety before proceeding with the high-profile college football matchup.

District Attorney of Orleans Parish Jason Williams also confirmed the game will be played on Thursday instead of Wednesday night.

The Superdome, set to host a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Georgia and Notre Dame, was on lockdown for security sweeps after a truck plowed into a New Year’s crowd about a mile away, killing 15 people and injuring more than 30.

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 Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said. ”We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”

Early New Year’s Day, Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, allegedly rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter early on New Year’s Day. Jabbar was killed in a firefight with police following the attack at about 3:15 a.m. along Bourbon Street near Canal Street, the FBI said.

The Georgia and Notre football teams arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and have been staying at downtown hotels just blocks away from where the violence occurred.

A statement from the University of Georgia Athletic Association said that “all team personnel and members of the official team travel party have been accounted for.”

The Superdome, which is about 20 blocks away, also is scheduled to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.