The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans have issued a joint statement sending their condolences to the victims of the New Year’s Day terror attack.
Ten people were killed, and 35 others were left injured after a man drove a truck into a crowd of people in Bourbon Street before firing a weapon. The FBI has confirmed the suspect is dead and it is “working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
The city’s NFL and NBA franchises have expressed their sadness in a joint statement, which also praised the “bravery” of first responders.
“The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred on Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day,” a spokesman said.
“Our hearts go out to all victims and their families during this difficult time and express our deepest gratitude to the first responders who acted swiftly and bravely on the scene.
“New Orleans is a city built on resilience, and this heartbreaking event reminds us of the importance of coming together to support one another, to honor those affected, and to work toward healing as a community.
“In times of tragedy, the New Orleans community has always shown extraordinary courage and compassion, and we are certain that this time will be no different.”
The incident happened at 3:15 a.m. CT as people celebrated the New Year. New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick said the man was “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” driving a pickup truck “very fast” into a crowd of revelers.
The Pelicans are in action on New Year’s Day on the road at Miami Heat, with tip-off at Kaseya Center at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Saints do not return to the field until Sunday when they travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers in the regular-season finale.
However, the Saints’ Superdome stadium is set to be in use on New Year’s Day for the Sugar Bowl. Georgia and Notre Dame are due to meet in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at 8:45 p.m. ET.
Police chief Kirkpatrick has said the game will go ahead as planned.
“We are horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in the early hours of New Years Day in New Orleans,” a University of Georgia spokesman said. “University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims.”
Notre Dame president, the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, added the school’s “Prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning.”
He added: “We also pray for all those injured and extend our deepest gratitude to the brave first responders who risked their lives to protect others.”
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