Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill weighed in on Wednesday's postponement of the Sugar Bowl game in the wake of the deadly attack in New Orleans.
Murrill told NBC News he believes the game should be postponed to Friday. So far, the game has been postponed just one day to Thursday afternoon.
“It's not my decision, but I would like it to be postponed for at least one more day. If they ask for my opinion, I will tell them so,” Murrill said. “I think it was wise to delay it for at least a day. This is an active crime scene and they have just finished removing some of the bodies, but not all of them yet. I think we still have to wait.” An extra day. ”
Murrill added that he believes the community is “safe” in any case. The number of people killed in the Bourbon Street attack has risen to 15, Fox News reported.
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Aerial full exterior view of Caesars Superdome on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Despite the attacks, the game is currently set to be played within 24 hours of its original start time. Allstate Sugar Bowl organizers announced that the game will begin Thursday at 3:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. ET). The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 8:45pm ET on Wednesday night, but previous reports indicated the game would be postponed for 24 hours.
The Superdome is located just one mile from the scene of Wednesday morning's deadly attack. Georgia and Notre Dame arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and were reportedly staying in a hotel just a few blocks from the crime scene. According to reports, both schools have implemented “shelter-in-place” orders for their teams.
The FBI said a man driving a Ford pickup truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. local time. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, was pronounced dead at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with local police.
After an ISIS flag was found in the truck, the FBI is currently working to determine “the subject's potential ties or ties to the terrorist organization.” There were weapons and possible IEDs in the suspect's vehicle, and other possible IEDs were located in the French Quarter.
Alecia Duncan of the New Orleans FBI said at a press conference Wednesday that the FBI does not believe Din Jabbar was “solely responsible” for the act.
Notre Dame asks fans to 'join in prayer' after apparent terrorist attack before Sugar Bowl
The decision to postpone the match just one day after the attack prompted mixed reactions from fans and experts on social media.
Conservative commentator John Ziegler also voiced his opposition to the postponement in a post about X.
“This is wrong. Postponing the Sugar Bowl someday will not bring back those who lost their lives or make the game any safer. In fact, (it) is telling the terrorists exactly what they want. We have become so soft “as a society in almost every way,'' Ziegler wrote.
“The 'never-too-safe' people seem to think they can postpone an event the size of the Sugar Bowl without paying for lodging. Tens of thousands of people will be left without a hotel room tomorrow night. Traveled to New Orleans. Booked a flight for Friday.
Meanwhile, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy disagreed with those criticizing the game's postponement, suggesting they were “stupid.”
“Okay, it's postponed. And those who say the terrorists can win by moving for 24 hours are idiots. It's (1) day. Secure the area. Do what you have to do. Even if you delay the game for 24 hours, the terrorists won't win. I can’t win,” Portnoy wrote to X.
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Police and ambulance respond to a reported mass casualty incident on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on January 1, 2025. (WVUE)
Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley released a statement sending his thoughts and prayers to all the victims of the attack and thanking those who agreed to the new start time. expressed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as we address this matter,” Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement. “We have full faith in the governor and mayor, and all the federal, state, and local first responders who worked tirelessly to address this horrific incident. Whenever there is an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is our top priority.'' And all involved agree that this can only be achieved by postponing, and we will now work on the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-rate, fun and safe event it has been for more than 90 years.'' Masu. ”
“On behalf of the College Football Playoff, we are devastated by this morning's attack and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. I would like to express my deepest sympathies.” “We appreciate the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and federal authorities who are working together to provide a safe environment for everyone. We also appreciate the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and federal authorities who are working together to provide a safe environment for everyone. I also appreciate the flexibility.'' Afternoon. “
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