Dearborn family in New Orleans for Sugar Bowl had just missed Bourbon Street attack

Dearborn family counting blessings after just missing New Orleans violence

For one Michigan family, they're just happy to be safe after seeing the grim scene around New Orleans a day after a man drove his truck down a busy street, killing at least 15. The Tafelski family is in town to watch their son play football.

(FOX 2) - The Tafelski family had thought they would be kicking off the new year watching their son play in one of the College Football Playoff games in New Orleans.

Instead, they're counting their blessings that the violence that rocked a busy street in a city commonly known as the Big Easy had just missed them.

"Bourbon Street is an active crime scene still, it's still taped off," said Tom Tafelski, a Dearborn native.

Tafelski had just left Bourbon Street with his three sons prior to chaos breaking out when a man is accused of driving his truck down the busy road, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others.

It's the worst attack in more than a year in the U.S., as well as a grim start to the new year.

Standing from inside his hotel room, Tafelski could point from his balcony to where the tragedy took place. He and his family had traveled down to Louisiana to watch their son Jake play in the Sugar Bowl.

A member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, they were expected to play Georgia in the last game of the day.

The game has since been rescheduled for Thursday, scrambling plans for families like Tafelski who had expected to see the action the day before.

"I'm calling my travel agent to try and get her to help redirect flights. I mean, for me, I got a lot more at stake here because my son's actually in the game. We're staying no matter what," Tafelski said.

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The family had said they were worried about some cross traffic on Bourbon Street, but the police presence in the area was heavy enough that things appeared to be safe.

As investigators work to understand how the suspect, who was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group, planned and executed the act of terrorism, Tafelski says its important to not let criminals steal their way of life.

"Unfortunately, we have to be aware of our surroundings, but we have to continue to live our lives," he said. "We can't let these people stop us from living here in the United States."