What we know about victims of New Orleans terrorist attack
2025-01-02
Category: america

Heartbroken family and friends moved to identify the growing number of victims after a terrorism suspect plowed a car into a large crowd in New Orleans on New Year's. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was "hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage that he did," New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick said. "It was very intentional behavior," the superintendent of police added. "This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could." At least 14 people were killed in the Wednesday morning suspected terrorist attack, and dozens others were injured, the FBI said.&nbsp; Two Israeli citizens were among the injured, the U.S. ally has indicated. New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement late Wednesday that they will release the names of the dead once autopsies are complete, and they have talked with the next of kin. SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS FBI INVESTIGATES ACT OF TERRORISM AFTER BOURBON STREET ATTACK   Deaths:  Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, 27 Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, 27, was killed in the Bourbon Street attack. In a heartfelt post, his brother, Jack Bech, remembered the All-Ivy League kick returner who played for Princeton from 2016-18. "Love you always brother! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment," he wrote in a social media post. "I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us." Princeton Athletics and the Princeton football program also mourned the former player's death. "There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached," Charles W. Caldwell Jr., Princeton's '25 Head Coach of Football, said. "He was a 'Tiger' in every way - a ferocious competitor with&nbsp;endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend. Our last conversation was about how proud I was of the growth he showed during his time at Princeton and the success he was having after graduation. My love goes to the entire Bech family." He graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2015, the school said in a release. "The St. Thomas More Catholic High School community mourns the loss of one of our own, Tiger Bech, who passed away early this morning as a result of the New Year attack in New Orleans," they wrote. "Tiger was a 2015 graduate and standout in football, lacrosse, and track and field." "Please keep the Bech family in your prayers during this time," they said.  Drew Dauphin, 26 Drew Dauphin, who reportedly graduated from Auburn University in 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, was among those killed in the attack.&nbsp; He worked as a supplier process engineer for Honda Motor Company in Birmingham, Alabama, since graduation, according to his LinkedIn profile. His death was confirmed in a statement released by Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts.&nbsp;"On behalf of Auburn University, I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin who was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack," Roberts said. "Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts are with the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy."&nbsp;   Nikyra Dedeaux, 18 Dedeaux was an aspiring nurse when she was hit by the high-speed truck during her New Year's Eve celebration. Her friend, Zion Parsons, told The Associated Press that she was struck by the truck, saying that he was "lucky to be alive." "A truck hit the corner and comes barreling through throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air," Parsons, 18, recalled. "It hit her and flung her like at least 30 feet and I was just lucky to be alive." WHO IS SHAMSUD DIN JABBAR? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS NEW YEARS' TERRORIST SUSPECT Parsons said that the 18-year-old had a job at a hospital and was set to start college. "She had her mindset — she didn’t have everything figured out, but she had the plan laid down," he said.  Nicole Perez, 28 Nicole Perez was a single mother to a 4-year-old son when she was killed in the New Orleans truck attack, her employer confirmed to The Associated Press. Perez was recently promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metarie, Louisiana, and "was really excited about it," deli owner Kimberly Usher said in a phone interview. Usher confirmed Perez’s death through her sister, who also works for her. OFFICIALS POSTPONE SUGAR BOWL IN &nbsp;THE WAKE OF APPARENT TERROR ATTACK ON BOURBON STREET "She was a really good mom," said Usher, who started a GoFundMe account to cover Perez’s burial costs and to help with expenses for her son, who "will need to transition into a new living situation."  Reggie Hunter, 37 Reggie Hunter, 37, had gotten off work and headed to Bourbon Street on a whim to ring in 2025, his cousin,&nbsp;Shirell Jackson, told Nola.com. "They decided to go out there because he came in from work and said, 'Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It's New Year's Eve. Let's go to the city,'" Jackson told the outlet. "Just something so simple. 'Hey cuz, wanna ride me to the city?'" CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Hunter died from his injuries, Jackson said. Jackson was one of the dozens injured in the attack. Hubert Gauthreaux, 21 Archbishop Shaw High School noted in a Facebook post that alum Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, "was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter."  Kareem Bilal Badawi University of Alabama President Stuart Bell noted in a statement that Kareem Badawi, a student at the institution, was killed in the terror attack. In a Facebook post written in Arabic, Belal Badawi noted the horrific news of his son's death.&nbsp; "It is with great sadness and grief, and with hearts satisfied with Allah's decision and destiny, I announce the death of my son, Karim Bilal Badawi, who died early today in the morning as a result of a tragic accident in New Orleans," he noted, according to a translation.  The Advocate reported that a letter to the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge community from head of school Carrie Steakley and head chaplain Patrick Edwards indicated that Kareem Badawi and Parker Vidrine, who were injured in the attack, are alumni.&nbsp; Matthew Tenedorio, 25 Matthew Tenedorio was 25, "just starting life, had the job of his dreams" his mother Cathy Tenedorio said during an appearance "NBC News Now."  Tenedorio was "an audiovisual technician for the Superdome," according to a GoFundMe fundraiser which has already surpassed $20,000. Billy DiMaio, 25 Billy DiMaio "was a good, humble kid," who "loved life," his father Bill DiMaio noted, according to NOLA.com.&nbsp;  He called Billy "a special child," and noted, "He had a gift that everyone saw right away." "He was a pure, gentle-hearted soul. He will be truly missed," DiMaio's mother Tracie said, according to the outlet. "He put his family first, and his friends meant the whole world to him," she noted. The 25-year-old was "a true asset to the Audacy team," Audacy CEO David Field noted in a statement, according to audacy.com/wwl, which noted that DiMaio worked as an account manager and was promoted recently to account executive.  Terrence Kennedy, 63 Terrence Kennedy, 63, was among the people killed in Wednesday's attack, his sister and family said. In a Facebook post, his sister, Jacqueline Kennedy, shared the news that her brother, "Terry," had died. "I'm sorry to have to tell you all that he didn't make it," she said. The Facebook post was titled "My brother Terry Is Gone." The Associated Press contributed to this report.