Superdome gets security sweep after truck attack in New Orleans kills 15

The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans was on lockdown Wednesday for security sweeps after a pickup truck plowed into a New Year's crowd about a mile away, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, according to city and federal officials.

The sweep preceded the decision to postpone Wednesday's Allstate Sugar Bowl, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. It has not been determined when the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Notre Dame and Georgia will be played.

University of Georgia president Jere Morehead said a student at the school suffered critical injuries in the attack and was receiving medical treatment.

A Georgia athletic department spokesperson said all team personnel and travel party members had been accounted for.

Atlanta Police released a statement saying they would deploy specialized units and additional personnel to the area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta is hosting another College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Peach Bowl, with Texas facing Arizona State.

The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. CT Wednesday in New Orleans' bustling French Quarter district, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year's Eve parties. The driver of the vehicle was killed in a firefight with police following the attack, the FBI said, adding that it was heading an investigation "with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism."

After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver emerged from the truck and opened fire on responding officers, New Orleans police said. Officers returned fire, striking and killing the driver, police said.

"He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did," Kirkpatrick said. "It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could."

The FBI says it is still investigating the attacker, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, to determine "potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations." An Islamic State group flag was recovered in the vehicle driven by Jabbar.

Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene.

Jason Williams, the district attorney of Orleans Parish, which includes New Orleans, told ABC News that investigators were conducting a grid search to determine whether other explosive devices were planted. He also said investigators are looking into whether the suspect acted alone or had help from others in planning and executing the attack.

NOLA Ready, the city's emergency preparedness department, said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals. Two police officers who were shot after the driver emerged from the truck are in stable condition, Kirkpatrick said.

"The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning," Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available."

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

Notre Dame president the Rev. Robert A. Dowd said 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. We also pray for all those injured and extend our deepest gratitude to the brave first responders who risked their lives to protect others."

As part of the lockdown, 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 Superdome, which is about 20 blocks from Wednesday's attack, also is scheduled to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.

"What you'll see today for the Sugar Bowl, which will go on, is that the perimeter for security around the Superdome has been extended to be a larger zone,"New Orleans City Council president Helena Moreno told WDSU-TV. "So expect obviously extra security. There are more police officers who are coming in."

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the attack, and the Justice Department said Attorney General Merrick Garland was also briefed.

Biden, speaking to reporters in Delaware, said he felt "anger and frustration" over the attack but would refrain from further comment until more is known.

"My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday," Biden said in a statement. "There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities."

The New Orleans Saints, who play in the Superdome, and Pelicans said in a statement posted to X that their "hearts go out to all victims and their families during this difficult time." A number of Saints players, including Derek Carr and Cameron Jordan, also shared their sympathies on social media.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.