6:45 A.M. THURSDAY UPDATE
The UGA student injured in the attack on a New Year’s Eve crowd in New Orleans has been identified as Elle Eisele, 19, of Ft. Myers, Florida. She is a graduate of the Canterbury School in Ft. Myers, which released her name late Wednesday.
2:30 P.M. WEDNESDY UPDATE
University of Georgia officials confirm that a UGA student was among those injured in the deadly New Year’s Eve attack in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
UGA President Jere Morehead issued this statement Wednesday morning:
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating attack in New Orleans overnight, and I extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
At this point, we have learned that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment. I have spoken to the student’s family and shared my concern, support and well wishes on behalf of the entire UGA community. I would like to express my gratitude to all the first responders who moved so quickly to help those affected by this senseless act of violence, as well as to the medical personnel who are caring for the injured.
As we continue to hold the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, the University will do everything in its power to support those in our community who have been impacted by this unspeakable event.”
Not long after Morehead issued his statement, Sugar Bowl officials announced that the game has been postponed for security reasons until Thursday night.
10:30 A.M. UPDATE
The official University of Georgia delegation to the Sugar Bowl has confirmed that all members of its party are safe.
“Good morning everyone, all of our students, staff, and directors are safe and OK,” reads a Facebook posting. “We had a curfew well before the incident occurred on Bourbon street and we have verified that everyone in our travel party is safe and accounted for.
“At this point we are staying here at the team hotel and awaiting guidance from the City of New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl admin.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted.”
EARLIER STORY. POSTED AT 8:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY: (SRN NEWS/AP) -With thousands of Georgia and Notre Dame football fans in town for Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl, a driver in a pickup truck who officials said was “hellbent on carnage” sped through a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, killing 10 and injuring 30 in an act being investigated as a New Year’s Day terrorist attack.
The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and with crowds in the city ballooning in anticipation for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.
“He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick.
Officials did not immediately provide an update on the status of the driver, whether there was an ongoing threat to the public or offer a suspected motive in the fatal incident at the city’s famed Canal and Bourbon Street early Wednesday.
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.
Officials did not immediately provide an update on the status of the driver, whether there was an ongoing threat to the public or offer a suspected motive.
NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, said the injured had been taken to five local hospitals. A police officer was among the injured.