The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena responded early Wednesday to the tragic news from New Orleans, reported in the early-morning hours before the parade was to begin.
A suspect who drove a vehicle at high speed into a crowd of revelers was killed after a firefight with police, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press. Ten people were killed and 30 were injured in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street.
The area is 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.
“The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” a statement said. “We stand in solidarity with the entire state during this difficult time.”
The statement efforted to assure visitors that all safety precautions had been taken at the parade. “The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners,” the statement said. “We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.”
The statement added: “The parade is a top level federal event and we have to ability to call in additional resources if the need exists. “We have a hard shut down of vehicles along the entire Parade route in addition to very robust vehicle barriers at intersections. over 1,000 law enforcement personnel are working the Parade and Game.”