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By Cara Tabachnick, Tucker Reals
/ CBS News
At least 15 people were killed during a deadly attack on New Year’s Day when a driver slammed into a crowd celebrating New Year’s on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, in what is being investigated as a suspected terrorist attack.
At least 39 people were hospitalized for their injuries, some in critical condition.
“As of now, 15 people are deceased. It will take several days to perform all autopsies. Once we complete the autopsies and talk with the next of kin, we will release the identifications of the victims,” New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement on Wednesday.
Even though authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, families, friends, schools and workplaces have shared memories and details about lives lost during the tragic events that unfolded in the French Quarter.
Here’s what we know about the victims so far:
Kareem Badawi, a student at the University of Alabama, was among those killed in the Wednesday morning attack, his father Belal said in a Facebook post. According to AL.com, Badawi started his freshman year at the University of Alabama in the autumn of 2023, after graduating from high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We ask Allah Almighty to shower his mercy on him, and give us patience and strength to overcome this,” said his father in the online post.
“I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” University of Alabama President Stuart Bell said on Facebook, adding that university staff were “engaged in supportive outreach” and urging members of the community to “take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy.”
Tiger Bech, 28, a former All-Ivy Princeton football player, died during the Bourbon Street attack, his mother Michelle confirmed to CBS News.
Bech was an “amazing kid” and he “went out on top of the world,” his mother said.
After college at Princeton, Bech worked as a junior bonds trader in cybersecurity at Seaport Global. He loved to fish and hunt, his mother said.
St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, confirmed Bech had graduated in 2015, and asked for prayers for his family.
“Tiger was a 2015 graduate and standout in football, lacrosse, and track and field,” the school said.
His parents Michelle and Martin survive him, as well as his three siblings. His brother Jack posted on social media: “Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment.”
Aspiring nurse Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux died on Bourbon Street her mother Melissa Dedeaux said in a social media post and confirmed to CBS News.
“I lost my baby just pray for me and my family pleaseeeeee!!,” her mother wrote.
Nikyra Dedeaux was scheduled to begin a nursing program at Blue Cliff College on Jan. 13, her mother, who is also a nurse, told Nola.com. She told local media that her daughter was a popular person who was always surrounded by friends.
Zion Parsons, a friend who was with her on Bourbon Street, told The Associated Press they were both 18 and that Dedeaux was looking forward to pursuing her goals. “She had her mindset — she didn’t have everything figured out but she had the plan laid down,” he said.
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, graduated from the Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans in 2021, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page. The school said he was among those “tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter.”
“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,” said the school, which is located in the Marrero area of southern New Orleans. The school shared what appeared to be a graduation photo of Gauthreaux.
Reggie Hunter, 37, a store manager and loving dad who lived in Baton Rouge, was killed in the deadly attack, one of his cousins confirmed to CBS News.
His cousin Shirell Robinson Jackson said Hunter had two sons Landon, 11, and Christian, 19 months, and he was always laughing and joking. She described Hunter as “full of life.”
“He loved his kids, his sisters and his daddy, all of us. He didn’t deserve this,” Jackson said.
His cousin said Hunter texted his family at 12:07 a.m. to wish them a Happy New Year. He was celebrating on Bourbon Street with their other cousin, Kevin Ball, who was injured and is still in the hospital.
Nicole Perez, 27, a mother to a 4-year-old son, was killed in the attack, a friend confirmed to CBS News.
Perez worked at Kimmy’s Deli in Metairie. Her friend and boss, Kimberly Usher Fall, said Perez was a dedicated worker, smart, happy and a “good-hearted person.”
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, who died in the attack, has been remembered by his family as “a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose laid-back spirit and infectious laughter brought joy to everyone around him.”
In a tribute posted on a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral and other expenses, Tenedorio’s family said he was an audiovisual technician at New Orleans’ Ceasars Superdome stadium who “played a crucial role in creating memorable experiences for countless fans and event-goers.”
“My sweet cousin, heartache doesn’t come close to describe what we all feel right now,” Tenedorio’s cousin Christina Bounds said in a Facebook post. “You always gave the best hugs and had the biggest smile when you walked in a room. We will miss you forever cous.”
This story will be updated with information on more of the victims as identifications are confirmed.
and contributed to this report.
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com
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