Loved ones have begun to identify some of the 15 people killed early Wednesday when an armed man drove a speeding truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve in New Orleans’ French Quarter in what the FBI is investigating as a terrorist act.
The pick-up truck plowed into the crowd around 3:15 a.m. and the driver, who appeared to be carrying an ISIS flag in the truck, fired on police officers from inside the vehicle, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. The driver was fatally shot by law enforcement. The FBI preliminarily identified the suspect as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen who lived in Texas.
Law enforcement and officials in New Orleans have not publicly identified any of the victims but family and friends said Wednesday that Martin “Tiger” Bech, 28, a former Princeton football player, Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old who recently graduated high school, father of two Reggie Hunter, 37, and 27-year-old mother Nicole Perez were among those killed in the attack.
About 30 people were injured in the attack, including two officers who were shot and are now being treated in stable condition. President Joe Biden offered his condolences to the victims Wednesday and pledged to stand with the city of New Orleans as it continues to mourn.
“To all the families of those who are killed, to all those who are injured, to all the people of New Orleans are grieving today, I want you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you,” Biden said.
The crash came hours before the city was expected to host the Sugar Bowl college football game between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame. A University of Georgia student was critically injured in the assault, university President Jere Morehead said in a statement. Two 19-year-old Fort Myers women Elle Eisele, a University of Georgia student, and Steele Idelson, a San Diego State University student, were both critically injured, according to a statement from The Canterbury School.
Two Israeli citizens were also hurt, and a consulate representative is traveling to New Orleans, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X. The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X two Mexicans were injured but are reportedly in stable condition.
Here’s what we know so far about the victims:
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, a recent graduate of Harrison Central High School, was among those killed in the truck attack, her mother, Melissa Dedeaux told USA TODAY.
Melissa Dedeaux said her daughter, who was one of six siblings, likely wanted to have some fun before starting a nursing program in January. She described her 18-year-old daughter as an “outgoing, very smart girl” who often helped care for her 1-year-old sister.
“She was a sweet person. She was a people person,” Melissa Dedeaux said.
“She was her mama and daddy’s favorite,” she added.
Dedeaux said though her daughter was not the type to get into trouble, she snuck out with her cousin and a friend to go to New Orleans for New Year’s Eve without permission. Dedeaux urged others not to travel without letting someone know where they’re going.
“Let your parents know where you are, because it could be you,” she said.
Nikyra Dedeaux’s friend, 18-year-old Zion Parsons, told The Times-Picayune the teens were leaving Voodoo Chicken and Daquiris on Bourbon Street near Bienville Street when he heard a commotion. Dedeaux darted into the street and into the path of the barreling truck.
Parsons told the outlet Dedeaux went by the nickname “Biscuit” and always had a positive attitude. “You know those kinds of people where you can’t find a reason to dislike them? She was one of those people,” Parsons said.
Former Princeton University football player Martin “Tiger” Bech was killed in the New Orleans truck attack, his brother, Jack Bech, confirmed on social media. Tiger Bech, 28, was an All-Ivy League performer, spending three seasons at Princeton from 2016-18.
“Love you always brother,” Jack Bech, a Texas Christian University standout, wrote on X. “You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”
Martin Bech’s death was first announced by Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he attended. Broussard told KLFY, a local news station in Louisiana, that Bech died late Wednesday morning after he was placed on life support until his family could arrive.
Marty Cannon, the principal at Bech’s high school, described Bech as an uncommon intellect and athlete.
“He was just a guy of tremendous depth as well. He was smart, he was an intellectual, just an impressive guy,” Cannon told Reuters. Bech, who worked in finance in New York, was in town for the holidays, Cannon said.
“There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached,” Princeton football coach Bob Surace said in an announcement. “He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a ferocious competitor with 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.”
Shirell Jackson told The Times-Picayune and ABC News that her cousin Reggie Hunter, a warehouse manager and a father of two from Baton Rouge, and another cousin were both hit by the truck that barreled down Bourbon Street early Wednesday. Hunter, who leaves behind a 12-year-old and 18-month-old son, loved working out, fashion and recently celebrated Christmas with his loved ones, she said.
“He was the city slicker. The tennis shoes have to match the hat,” she said.
Hunter, 37, died from his injuries, and his cousin suffered extensive internal injuries, Jackson told the Times Picayune. Jackson and other family members did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.
“Reggie was a great big brother, uncle, friend, and father,” said a GoFundMe set up to raise money for his funeral expenses.
The death of Nicole Perez, 27, was confirmed by her employer Kimberly Usher to Reuters. She said Perez had just gotten a promotion and was teaching her 4-year-old son to read before she was killed.
Perez would occasionally bring her son to work and play spelling games with him, said Usher, who owns the New Orleans-area deli where Perez worked. She said Perez was a hard-working mother and dedicated employee.
“She was just getting a new apartment, so her and her son were about to start their new life,” Usher said. “And now that’s no more.”
Usher set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. A spokesperson for GoFundMe told USA TODAY the organization is in the process of verifying the fundraiser.
“She was so beautiful and full of life. Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee,” the fundraiser said. “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.”
Contributing: Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger; Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK; Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press; Reuters
