Pelicans coach Willie Green didn't know about the tragic events unfolding in New Orleans until Wednesday morning when he received an email from his father wishing him a Happy New Year.
That's when he learned the “devastating” news of the massacre that occurred in the early morning hours of 2025. Federal law enforcement is investigating after a man drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. terrorist attack.
“I got an email from my dad this morning wishing him a Happy New Year, but also saying he was praying for all the people of New Orleans. I didn't know what he meant at the time. I didn't,” Green told reporters before a game against the Pelicans in Miami. “Then I read the news and found out what was going on.”
Coach Green said he was “devastated” to hear the news and said the team's hearts are with the families affected by the tragedy.
The Pelicans played the Heat at Caseya Center on Wednesday, so the team was far from home when the attack occurred.
Still, the weight of the situation was felt as Green spoke to reporters.
“No. 1, We recognize that these are difficult times for everyone involved, especially as we are closer to home. [from] New Orleans,” he said. “When you realize there's a lot of other factors going on that are bigger than the game, it can be hard to go out and try to execute the basketball game and the game plan. But at the same time, tonight we had a I also have a responsibility to stand up and do my best.”
Darren Rizzi, the Saints' interim head coach near New Orleans, sat in the parking lot of the team's practice facility, tracking the children's locations and making sure everyone was safe.
The attack brought back memories of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center for Rizzi, a New Jersey native who lost a former high school teammate when the Twin Towers collapsed in Lower Manhattan more than 20 years ago. evoked.
“I went to a lot of memorial services and funerals.” Rizzi said, according to NOLA.com.. “So every time something like this happens, the smoke from the World Trade Center was visible from my house where I lived. So when I say it hits my house, it hits my house.”
The shocking attack occurred around 3:15 a.m., while New Year's festivities were still going on on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, when the driver, Shamsud Din Jabbar, attacked a police car that was blocking the street. He overtook them at breakneck speed and then began a massacre.
The suspect engaged in a shootout with police officers who responded to the incident, and was shot and killed by police.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick said Jabbar was “committed to causing carnage and damage.”
Information is slowly leaking out about some of the victims killed in the early morning attack.
Among the reported victims are former Princeton football player Tiger Beck, 27, father of two Reggie Hunter, 37, and Nicole Perez, mother of a 4-year-old boy. (28 years old) is included.
The Saints and Pelicans released a joint statement after the attack.
“The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred on Bourbon Street early on New Year's Day,” the teams, owned by Gail Benson, said in a statement.
“During this difficult time, our hearts go out to all the victims and their families, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders who acted quickly and bravely at the scene.
“New Orleans is a city built on resilience, and this heartbreaking event forces us to come together to support each other, honor those affected, and work towards healing as a community.” The New Orleans community has always shown extraordinary courage and compassion in times of tragedy, and we are confident this time will be no different.”
