A bone-chilling New Year’s Eve unfolded in New Orleans. An armed man rampaged a truck into a celebration on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. The incident resulted in 15 deaths and over 30 injured innocent civilians. While the police did successfully curb the incident and take out the perpetrator who caused havoc, it has left the community of New Orleans in horror.

Several prominent members of the community spoke about the shooting. Notably, WNBA legend and Pelicans’ Senior VP expressed her dismay over the incident, while also ensuring and confirming her family’s safety.

“Praying deeply for our city. Thank you to everyone who reached out with calls and texts—my family & I are safe, but our hearts are heavy. The senseless evil targeting innocent lives is devastating. Please pray for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire NO community,” she wrote in her tweet.

The police are still in the middle of a massive investigation, working closely with authorities to get to the bottom of this criminal act. Moreover, even the POTUS Joe Biden ensured a “fluid investigation” would go through around the heinous act.

Biden mentioned in his statement, “The law enforcement intelligence community are continuing to look for any connections, associations or co-conspirators. We have nothing additional report at this time, the investigation is continuing to be active, and no one should jump to conclusions”. 

The police have begun identifying those who’ve lost their lives. All-Ivy League performer, Tiger Bech, who spent three seasons playing football at Princeton from 2016 to 2018, was part of the long list of casualties. Tough times like these have brought together the community who’re constantly posting heartwarming messages on social media.

Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado, and other New Orleans figures offer their prayers

In times like this, the entire community of New Orleans is disturbed and shaken by what Pelicans’ coach Willie Green notes as “a senseless act of violence”. At this hour, all the city needs is comfort from the horrors the incident has left.

Zion Williamson, one of the most recognizable sporting figures in New Orleans, shared his sorrow on his Instagram stories. “Praying for our city and those impacted by the tragic events that took place early this morning,” the former number one pick wrote. It resonated with the thoughts of his teammate Jose Alvarado, who also kept New Orleans in his prayers.

In addition, the Saints and Pelicans, the two biggest sports franchises in the city, also released a joint public statement sending their thoughts across in such tense times. Willie Green also forwarded a concerning message highlighting the dangers of society. “We live in a world where you don’t know where you’re safe, schools, churches. People should be able to go out and have a good time and walk the streets. It’s devastating,” the Pelicans head coach said during his press conference.

For Saints coach Darren Rizzi, the horrific news was “hard to comprehend”.

For him, it hit on a personal level because of his past. Rizzi revealed he lost some dear friends and family during the 9/11 attacks. Furthermore, as a father of five kids, such news made it hard for him to swallow what had happened in his “home” of New Orleans.

The news coming out of New Orleans is truly painful and everyone affected by the heinous incident is in our prayers.