NEW ORLEANS, La. — Thousands of people are in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl including UGA fans ready to cheer on the Bulldogs on Thursday.
Many of them were out along Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning when a man drove a pickup truck past a barricade and ran into the crowd, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.
Channel 2 Action News has confirmed a student from UGA was critically injured in what officials are calling an act of terror.
Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein is in New Orleans and spoke to UGA fans who admit they are now nervous about going to the game on Thursday against Notre Dame.
“It seems very surreal to be here, like, not right, actually. And just really scared for all of our kids. And I understand that they must postpone it, and I think that they obviously know a lot more than we do,” UGA fan Denise Bailey said.
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“It’s very unfortunate but it galvanizes folks and makes us all realize that we’re all part of the human community, the human race, even though, you know, we all love sports, we all love our teams, but nothing’s more important than what went ahead and feeling for the families,” Bobby Johnson said.
“Hopefully we’ll play. And like I said, I’m saddened for the event and hope Georgia wins, but that’s, kind of secondary to what happened today,” UGA fan Daniel Gault said.
Police have advised locals and visitors in the area to avoid Bourbon Street, Canal Street and St. Ann Street as the investigation continues.
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The Sugan Bowl was originally supposed to be played on Wednesday night, but officials postponed the game following the attack.
Kick-off is now scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The FBI said it does not believe the driver acted alone. Investigators found guns and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device in the vehicle, along with other devices elsewhere in the city’s famed French Quarter.
The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, and said it is working to determine his potential associations with terrorist organizations.
“We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said at a news conference.
Investigators found multiple improvised explosives, including two pipe bombs that were concealed within coolers and wired for remote detonation, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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