What we know about the victims killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack

At least 15 people were killed and 35 were injured in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day when a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Authorities have identified Army veteran Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, to be the dead suspect behind the wheel of the attack. Jabbar had an ISIS flag in the truck, and he had shared a series of videos online that he planned to kill his family and join the terrorist organization. 

The identities of the deceased and injured victims have not been released to the public, but friends and family members have already begun sharing about their lost loved ones. 

Here is what we know so far about the victims.

Martin “Tiger” Bech

The 27-year football star graduated from Princeton University in 2021. Martin Bech was a native of Lafayette, Louisiana. His death was confirmed by Kim Brossard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School, where he graduated from high school, NOLA.com reported.

While at Princeton, Bech was the school kick returner and receiver from 2017 to 2019, and he earned All-Ivy League honors as a returner. He shared the same nickname as the school’s mascot.

“He might be the first Tiger to ever play for us, and that nickname kind of described him as a competitor,” Princeton football coach Bob Surace told ESPN. “He was somebody that somehow, like in the key moments, just excelled and was full of energy, full of life.”

Bech’s younger brother Jack — a top wide receiver at Texas Christian University — shared a tribute to his brother on X.

“Love you always brother! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”

Bech had most recently worked as an investment trader at a New York brokerage firm called Seaport Global.  

Nikyra Dedeaux

The 18-year-old woman from Gulfport, Mississippi, had dreamed of becoming a nurse before she was killed in the New Year’s Day attack. 

Her friend Zion Parsons, 18, shared with Associated Press that it was their first night on Bourbon Street.  

“A truck hit the corner and comes barreling through throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air,” Parsons told the outlet. “It hit her and flung her like at least 30 feet, and I was just lucky to be alive.”

Parsons shared that it was a horrific sight.

“Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering,” she said. “People crying on the floor, like brain matter all over the ground. It was just insane, like the closest thing to a war zone that I’ve ever seen.”

Dedeaux worked at a hospital and was going to start college to work toward her goal of becoming a nurse.

Reggie Hunter

The 37-year-old father of two joined his cousin to ring in the New Year on Bourbon Street.

He lived in Baton Rouge and decided to tag along with his cousin, who was injured in the attack, on a whim, Shirell Jackson, a cousin of Hunter, 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 said. “Just something so simple. ‘Hey cuz, wanna ride me to the city?”

Hunter leaves behind two sons — a 12-year-old son and an 18-month-old.

Nicole Perez 

Nicole Perez was a 27-year-old single mother to a 4-year-old son. 

She was recently promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metairie, Louisiana. 

Deli owner Kimberly Usher shared that she received news of Perez’s death from her sister, who also works at the Deli. 

“She was a really good mom,” Usher said. She shared how Perez would teach her son Melo basic learning skills while on her breaks. 

Usher started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for Perez’s son in order to assist him as he transitions into a new living situation.

“Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee,” Usher wrote. “I’m hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation.”

Kareem Badawi 

A 2024 graduate of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Kareem Badawi was among those killed. He and another graduate of the high school, Parker Vidrine, were out enjoying the festivities when the driver plowed into them. Vidrine was critically injured.

“Because of the sensitive nature and out of respect for the families, there is only so much that is appropriate to share at this time,” the school said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened to share that alumnus Parker Vidrine ’24 was critically injured and is hospitalized, and alumnus Kareem Bawadi ’24 tragically passed away as a result of the attack.”

Badawi was a freshman at the University of Alabama.

Hubert Gauthreaux

Family members of the 21-year-old confirmed his death after first posting on social media that he was missing.

He was a 2021 graduate of Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans.

“We are asking the entire Archbishop Shaw family to pray for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family, and friends during this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the school said in a statement. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Matthew Tenedorio

 The 25-year-old was shot and killed during the terrorist attack. 

In a GoFundMe, he was described by his cousins as “a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose laid-back spirit and infectious laughter brought joy to everyone around him.”

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“As an audiovisual technician for the Superdome, he played a crucial role in creating memorable experiences for countless fans and event-goers,” the organizers wrote.

His death comes as his mother is recovering from cancer, which was a great financial burden to the family.

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