Author: Rich McKay
(Reuters) – Fourteen people were killed and 30 injured after a U.S. Army veteran, who also died, swerved his truck with an ISIS flag flying around makeshift barriers and plowed into revelers in New Orleans’ crowded French Quarter on Nov. year.
Authorities released a list of victims, including one unidentified woman and one foreign national whose name was not released by the coroner but identified by British media.
Details about the victims come from interviews with families, the media and social media accounts.
NICHOL PEREZ
Nicole Perez, 28, of Metairie, Louisiana, had just been promoted, was moving into a new apartment and was teaching her four-year-old son to read before she was killed in the attack, Kimberly Usher, her boss, told Reuters.
Usher, who owns a deli in the New Orleans area where Perez is
worked, said that Perez would sometimes bring her son
work and play spelling games with him. Usher described Perez as
diligent mother and dedicated employee.
“She was just getting a new apartment, so she and her son
were about to start their new lives,” Usher said. “And now it
no more.”
MARTIN “TIGER” BECH
Martin Tiger Bech, 27, a native of nearby Lafayette, Louisiana and a recent resident of New York City, graduated from Princeton University, according to Marty Cannon, principal of the high school Bech attended.
Cannon described Bech, who played football at Princeton, as
unusual intellect and athlete.
“I saw a lot of great athletes, but there are things
what Tiger could do on a football field I’ve never seen
anyone else,” Cannon said.
“He was also a man of enormous depth. He was
smart, he was an intellectual, just an impressive guy.”
Bech, who worked in finance in New York, was in New Orleans for the holidays, Cannon said.
NIKYRA CHEYENNE DEDEAUX
Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, an aspiring nurse from Gulfport, Mississippi, was scheduled to start the caregiver program later in January
at Blue Cliff College. She was in New Orleans where she celebrated the New Year with her cousin and a friend, the Times-Picayune newspaper reported, citing associates of the victim.
Melissa Dedeaux, identified by the Times-Picayune as
Nikyra’s mother wrote on Facebook (NASDAQ: ), “When your parents tell you not to go anywhere, listen to them. My baby is gone. My baby is gone, she is no longer with us.”
REGGIE HUNTER
Reggie Hunter, 37, of Prairieville, Louisiana, was a father of two, the Times-Picayune reported, citing the victim’s cousin, Shirell Jackson.
Newspapers reported that Hunter, the warehouse manager,
he was proud of the academic achievements of his eldest son, who
he was of school age and liked to exercise with his friends and
family.
MATEJ TENEDORIO
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, was an audiovisual technician at
New Orleans’ Caesars (NASDAQ: ) Superdome Stadium, whose address is listed in Picayune, Mississippi.
His family wrote on the GoFundMe page that he
beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, of a “laid-back spirit.”
and infectious laughter.”
In his job at the stadium, “he played a crucial role
creating unforgettable experiences for countless fans and event-goers,” his family wrote.
His cousin, Christina Colgan Bounds, said on Facebook
post: “You always gave the best hugs and had the biggest
smile when you enter the room. We will miss you forever.”
KAREEM BADAWI
Kareem Badawi, 23, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a student at the University of Alabama, his father Belal Badawi said in a Facebook post.
“With great sadness and sorrow, and hearts
satisfied with Allah’s decision and destiny, I announce
the death of my son,” his father announced on Facebook. “We pray to Allah
May the Almighty shower him with his grace, and grant us patience and
strength to overcome.”
HUBERT GAUTHREAUX
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, of Gretna, Louisiana, graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans in 2021, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page.
“We are asking the entire family of Archbishop Shaw for prayers
for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family and friends during
this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy,”
the school announced on its Facebook page.
ANDREW DAUPHIN
Andrew “Drew” Dauphin, 26, of Montgomery, Alabama, is a 2023 graduate of Auburn University, the school’s president, Christopher Roberts, said on Facebook.
Roberts wrote: “Words cannot convey the grief
The Auburn family sympathizes with Drew’s family and friends during this
an unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts are with the Dauphin
family and families of all victims of this senseless
tragedy.”
Dozens of well-wishers who posted on the site included
Deavin Willett, who wrote: “He was so loved and so is this
a tragic loss to all who had the pleasure of knowing him!”
EDWARD PETTIFER
Among those killed in the truck attack was Edward Pettifer (31), a British citizen from London, who was visiting New Orleans for New Year’s Eve, the BBC reports. Pettifer’s name was not released by the New Orleans coroner’s office, citing pending international charges.
The BBC and numerous media reported that he had connections to the British royal family through his stepmother who worked for the royal family in the 1990s as a nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry.
William and his wife Kate Middleton released a statement on social media on Saturday mourning the loss of Pettifer.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people tragically affected by this horrific attack,” the statement said, according to the Times-Picayune and other media.
WILLIAM DIMAIO
William Dimaio, 25, of Holmdel, New Jersey, was known in his community as a standout athlete, son and brother.
“Billy had a smile that could light up a room, and his laugh was truly contagious,” DiMaio’s parents, Bill and Tracie DiMaio, said in a news release.
“His energetic personality inspired everyone around him. He cared for others more than himself and, as Samantha and Anthony’s oldest brother, he played a unique and irreplaceable role in their lives, as well as his relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed.”
He graduated in 2022 from Chestnut Hill College where he was a midfielder on the lacrosse team.
BRANDON TAYLOR
Brandon Taylor, 43, of Harvey, Louisiana, was a quiet music lover and restaurant chef about to get married, his family told NOLA.com, and he went by the nickname “Lazy” while rapping.
Taylor was outside with his fiancee Heather Genusa, 38, and was standing near a crane parked on Bourbon Street when the pickup truck crashed into it, media reported.
No one should ever die like that, Genusa told the media. “He didn’t deserve it,” she said, adding that he was the last victim to be hit, and that they were near the truck when the police rained bullets, as she prayed.
TERRACE KENNEDY
Terrence Kennedy, 63, of New Orleans was born and raised among nine siblings in the city he loved and was remembered for his kindness and big heart, his family told the local NBC affiliate.
Kennedy loved sports, including the New Orleans Saints, his sister, Jacqueline Kennedy, told the news station, but his favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“My brother was a very sweet, dear and loving person. He had a big heart,” Jacqueline Kennedy said. “He would do anything for anyone. He never met a stranger.”
ELLIOT WILKINSON
Elliot Wilkinson, 40, originally from Sidell, Louisiana, had been going through rough times and was homeless, and was recently released from prison, CNN and other media reported.
His older brother, Cecil Wilkinson, shared a statement on Facebook saying his “little brother” was loved and will be truly missed.”
“I know your life has been difficult at times,” he wrote. “But I didn’t expect to call you this morning, you were one of those who were hit in New Orleans in the French Quarter.”
