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New Orleans coroner announces updated death count following terrorism attack

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•01/01/25•

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New Orleans terrorism attack
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

New Orleans officials announced an updated death count following Wednesday’s terrorism attack, which prompted the postponement of the Sugar Bowl. Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said 15 people died in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day.

According to the AP, the incident occurred toward the end of New Year’s celebrations, at 3:15 a.m. local time in New Orleans. A man drove a pickup truck through a crowd of people and later opened fire on law enforcement. The suspect was killed at the scene and officials found an ISIS in the vehicle.

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Initially, officials said 10 people were killed in the incident. However, later Wednesday, that number grew to 15.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in the French Quarter,” McKenna said in a statement. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected. As of now, 15 people are deceased. It will take several days to perform all autopsies. Once we complete the autopsies and talk with the next of kin, we will release the identifications of the victims.

“As we work diligently in coordination with the New Orleans Police Department, FBI, and Homeland Security, we remain committed to supporting the community during this tragic time in our city.”

The incident lead to shelters-in-place at both Georgia and Notre Dame team hotels ahead of their schedule appearance in the Sugar Bowl. Security did a sweep of the Caesars Superdome, which is near the site of the attack, but officials announced the game would be postponed. Kickoff will now be Thursday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN, the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff announced.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley in a statement. “We have full faith and confidence in the governor and the mayor and all the federal, state, and local first-responders that they’ve applied to this horrific event.

“Any time we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties involved agree that could only be achieved with a postponement. Now we will move ahead to take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”