Georgia student among those critically injured in Bourbon Street attack ahead of Sugar Bowl, per school

Georgia president Jere W. Morehead announced a University of Georgia student was among the 30 injured in the New Year’s Day “act of terror” that occurred on Bourbon Street in New Orleans ahead of Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff national semifinal vs. Notre Dame.

The Associated Press reported at least 10 people were killed and 30 injured after a man drove a pickup truck into a large crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in Wednesday’s early morning hours on Bourbon Street, a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors alike.

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Morehead revealed the unnamed UGA student was “critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment.”

“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,” Morehead’s statement read. “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.”

In the wake of the incident, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack,” but ESPN’s SportsCenter noted that the Sugar Bowl, which is hosting the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Georgia and Notre Dame, isn’t currently expected to be postponed.

According to the AP, the attack occurred toward the end of New Year’s celebrations, at 3:15 am CT. It was noted that the injured have been taken to five local hospitals, and the FBI is investigating.

“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,” the AP report read. “Earlier, the New Orleans Police Department said it was responding to a mass casualty incident Wednesday that included fatalities. NOLA Ready advised people to stay away from the area.”

Georgia football team sheltering-in-place amid ‘act of terrorism’ on Bourbon Street before Sugar Bowl

The status of Saturday’s Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame is currently in danger. Events described as “acts of terrorism” has taken place in the city of New Orleans, putting the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup on the back burner. For now, focus is on the safety of the two teams and people in the area.

ESPN’s Laura Rutledge provided an update on what the Georgia team is doing around 1 p.m. ET in New Orleans. She revealed the Bulldogs are currently sheltering-in-place inside the team hotel. Police presence around the hotel has increased too, attempting to protect both teams ahead of the game.

“I spoke with the spokesperson for Georgia’s athletic department, Steven Drummond,” Rutledge said on College GameDay. “He said currently at the team hotel, Georgia has a shelter-in-place, so they are locked down at the hotel, nobody leaving that area. And they’re going to continue to do that as they gather more information.

“Right now, the College Football Playoff, as well as the Sugar Bowl officials, are meeting. They’re meeting with FBI. They are meeting with police here in New Orleans, trying to figure out exactly what’s going to be safest moving forward. And I can tell you, there is an extreme police presence here. They’ve added a lot more when it comes to police presence around New Orleans, doing everything they can to keep everybody safe.”

Griffin McVeigh and Steve Samra contributed to this report.