What we know about victims of New Orleans terrorist attack

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Mother of New Orleans terrorist attack victim remembers her son: ‘So many emotions’

Cathy Tenedorio and Amber Knight join ‘Fox News @ Night’ to honor their relative who was killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack.

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. 

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

A memorial for the victims of the New Orleans New Years' attack on Jan. 1, 2025. (Audrey Conklin/Fox News Digital)

A memorial for those killed in the New Year’s Eve attack is left on Bourbon Street following the street’s reopening in New Orleans, Louisiana on Friday, January 3, 2025. Multiple people are dead and dozens are injured after a man rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday.  (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

Deaths:

Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, 27, was killed in the Bourbon Street attack. (Beverly Schaefer via Princeton Athletics)

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," Bob Surace, Princeton's head football coach, said. "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."

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, a graduate of Auburn University in 2023, was killed in the early Wednesday morning New Year's Day terrorist attack. (Auburn University)

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. 

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. 

"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." 

Nikyra Dedeaux was an aspiring nurse when she was hit by the high-speed truck during her New Year's Eve celebration. (Melissa Dedeaux )

Trevant Hayes, 20, sits in the French Quarter after the death of his friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, after a pickup truck crashed into pedestrians on Bourbon Street, followed by a shooting in the French Quarter in New Orleans, on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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 was a single mother to a 4-year-old son when she was killed in the New Orleans truck attack.

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.

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"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 was identified as one of the victims in the Bourbon Street attack on Jan. 1, 2025. (Reggie Hunter via Facebook)

Reggie Hunter, 37

Reggie Hunter, 37, had gotten off work and headed to Bourbon Street on a whim to ring in 2025, his cousin, 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?'"

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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."

Photo of Hubert Gauthreaux. (Archbishop Shaw High School)

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. 

"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.

Karim Bilal Badawi (Facebook/Belal Badawi )

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. 

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."

Matthew Tenedorio (GoFundMe)

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. 

Billy DiMaio (LinkedIn)

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, was identified as one of the victims in the New Orleans attack on New Years Day. (Jacqueline Kennedy via Facebook)

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."

Brandon Taylor, 43

Brandon Taylor, 43, was enjoying a night out with his fiancée, Heather Genusa, 38, and standing near a boom lift parked on Bourbon Street when the pickup truck crashed into him, Genusa told NOLA.com.

"No one should ever have to die like that. He didn’t deserve it," she said.

Taylor was a cook from Terrytown. His mother, 75-year-old Mary Guerrera, called her son a Christian man and said he loved music.

"It's been very difficult," she told the outlet on Friday. "I'm pretty devastated and I'm just trying to get through this." 

Elliot Wilkinson, 40

Elliot Wilkinson, a 40-year-old from Slidell, was one of the people killed in the Bourbon Street terror attack, the New Orleans Coroner's Office confirmed Friday.

Wilkinson was living on the street at the time of his death, NOLA.com reported.

His older brother, Cecil, said Elliot was "loved" and will "truly be missed" in a statement on Facebook.

"I know life was hard for you at times. But I wasn't expecting to get the phone call this morning you was one of them that got hit in New Orleans in the French Quarter," Cecil Wilkinson wrote.

Elliot Wilkinson struggled with mental illness and had recently been released from prison before he died, Cecil told CNN. He added that his brother could have stayed with family, but Elliot didn't want to be a burden. 

Edward Pettifer, 31

Edward Pettifer of Chelsea, London, poses in this undated handout picture in an unknown location. (Metropolitan Police/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo)

British national Edward Pettifer, 31, was named as one of the 14 victims killed by Shamsud-Din Jabbar on New Year's Day in New Orleans, London police said.

 "The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed‘s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many," Pettifer's family said in a statement. 

"We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you."

Pettifer's stepmother was a nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry. The Prince and Princess of Whales shared a statement on Instagram expressing shock at his tragic death.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack," Prince William said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.