As families across the US were celebrating the New Year, at least fifteen were tragically ripped apart after their loved ones were killed in a suspected terror attack in New Orleans. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove his pickup truck from Canal Street into Bourbon Street around 3:15am on New Year’s Day, according to the FBI.
An ISIS flag was reportedly seen on the vehicle, and weapons along with a potential improvised explosive device were discovered inside. The identities of the victims have not been officially confirmed yet, but relatives of those tragically killed have started sharing tributes on social media, reports the Mirror.
Among the victims are an 18 year old woman, a 37 year old father of two, a former football player aged just 27, and a 28 year old mother, leaving behind a four year old son.
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Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies work the scene on Bourbon Street
(Image: Getty Images)
Here’s what we know about the reported victims so far…
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, originally from Gulfport, Mississippi, was set to start a nursing programme in January, following her mother’s footsteps who is a dedicated nurse. Tragically, the promising young student was killed when she was hit by the pickup truck while celebrating the New Year in New Orleans with her cousin and a friend.
Dearly referred to as “Biscuit” by her mates and Cheyenne by her kin, Zion Parsons, her friend, recounted that Dedeaux “was never down, or grumpy,” instead labelling her “a little ball of sunshine” who was often intent on lifting the spirits of her pals and radiating cheerfulness. “You know those kinds of people where you can’t find a reason to dislike them? She was one of those people,” Parsons disclosed to NOLA.
Her mum, Melissa Dedeaux conveyed her affection when reminiscing her daughter’s knack for rallying “carloads” of buddies and revelling in their company, even amidst the heartache of her demise. Dedeaux, 40, expressed: “I just want to see my baby. She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything.”
Reggie Hunter, 37
Reggie Hunter was sadly killed in the attack, leaving behind his wife and two kids
(Image: NOLA.com)
In another heartfelt tribute, Reggie Hunter, 37, a Baton Rouge warehouse manager and also a victim, was remembered by his relative Shirell Jackson. He had spontaneously decided to visit Bourbon Street on Tuesday night when misfortune struck.
Both Reggie and another cousin suffered injuries when a truck hit them; Reggie succumbed to his injuries while his cousin is still hospitalised with major internal harm. . Hunter leaves behind two young lads, an 11 year old and an 18-month-old, with Reggie being immensely proud of his oldest son’s achievements in the STEM field.
Reflecting on the tragic loss of her cousin, a devastated Shirell shared: “You are praying for a prosperous year in 2025. And never do you think this is the news you are going to get.”
Speaking to ABC News, she added: “He did not deserve this. It’s senseless; it’s cruel. …I wish none of this had ever happened. This is hurting all of us differently and on so many levels. We were expecting so much life to live with our cousin … Just a beautiful person who did not deserve this and had so much more life to live.”
Tiger Bech, 27
Football player Tiger Bech had been scheduled to fly home on Wednesday afternoon
Tiger Bech, a 27 year old Lafayette native and former football star, was also among those tragically killed during the attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after sustaining severe injuries. Tiger was enjoying the festivities when he was struck by the suspect’s truck, according to Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School, where Bech played football before moving on to play for Princeton University.
After graduating from the university in 2021 with a degree in finance, he worked as a trader at a New York brokerage firm. He had only returned to New Orleans to celebrate the holidays.
Michelle Bech, Tiger’s mother, spoke to ABC news about her son’s death, describing him as amazing, someone who lived life to the fullest and was “on top of the world,” prior to his death. She also revealed that her son was in Louisiana for a long weekend of hunting and fishing, two of his favourite activities, with college friends from Princeton.
Nicole Perez, 27
Nicole Perez was sadly killed in the attack just days after being promoted to a new job
Nicole Perez, another victim of the tragedy, was confirmed dead by her employer and family spokesperson, Kimberly Usher-Fall. Prior to the tragic incident, Usher-Fall shared that Nicole had recently been promoted to a managerial position at one of her stores, a role she was thrilled about.
She also disclosed that Perez often brought her 4 year old son, Melvin (Melo), to work with her and was teaching him how to read. On the night of the accident, Nicole had been celebrating the New Year with friends when she was hit by a truck.
Despite being rushed to University Hospital, she later succumbed to her injuries. In the wake of her death, Usher Fall established a GoFundMe page to assist with Nicole’s funeral costs and support her young son and family.
“She was so beautiful and full of life,” Kimberley wrote. “Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee. 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.”