New Orleans Attack: Among the Victims Are a British National, an Aspiring Nurse, and a Princeton Football Player | US News

A 31-year-old British man, a mother of four, and a Princeton University football player were among the casualties from the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.

The coroner of the city has verified the identities of all but two of the 14 individuals who lost their lives when a man drove a pick-up truck into a crowd on New Year’s Day. Authorities have also confirmed that 31-year-old Edward Pettifer from Chelsea, west London, was another victim.

The identity of one of the female victims remains unknown as efforts to identify her are still underway.

The coroner indicated that the preliminary cause of death for all victims was blunt force trauma.

The FBI has identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a man born and raised in the United States.

The FBI is classifying this incident as terrorism after an Islamic State (IS) flag was found on the back of Jabbar’s vehicle. He was subsequently killed in a shootout with police.

Below are the victims identified from the New Year’s Day attack:

Edward Pettifer

Edward Pettifer, 31, hailed from Chelsea, west London, and his death was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police early Saturday morning.

In a statement, Mr. Pettifer’s family expressed their devastation over his loss.

“He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend to many,” they said.

“We will miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with the other families affected by this horrific attack. We ask for privacy as we mourn Ed’s passing.”

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, tragically lost her life after being hit by the vehicle while celebrating the arrival of 2025 with her friend Zion Parsons.

Mr. Parsons, also 18, noted that Ms. Dedeaux aspired to become a nurse.

She was employed at a hospital and was preparing to start college to pursue her career ambitions, he explained.

Mr. Parsons recalled the chaotic scene of the attack: “A truck came barreling through the corner, tossing people around like in a movie. It struck her and sent her flying at least 30 feet. I was just lucky to escape alive.”

Ms. Dedeaux was from Gulfport, Mississippi.

Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech

Tiger Bech, a 27-year-old graduate from Princeton University, resided in New York City where he worked as a junior bond trader.

His brother, Jack Bech, told Sky’s US correspondent James Matthews: “The last words we exchanged were ‘I love you.’ “

“I told him I loved him, and he responded that he loved me even more before we hung up – those were the final words I said to him.”

Mr. Bech shared that his brother was his closest friend and a role model.

“He was adored by many. He always made time for those in need. He truly was unique,” he mentioned.

His family managed to spend a precious moment with him while he was unconscious in the hospital yet still alive.

“He couldn’t engage with us, but I believe he could hear us with his eyes closed,” Mr. Bech said.

The head coach of the Princeton Tigers, the team Tiger Bech played for, described him as a “tiger in every sense.”

“That nickname suited him perfectly,” Bob Surace stated. “He was fiercely competitive, endlessly energetic, a cherished teammate, and a compassionate friend. Our last chat was about how proud I was of the progress he made during his time at Princeton and his success post-graduation.”

Analysis: IS flag stark reminder extremist ideology never went away

Matthew Tenedorio

Matthew Tenedorio, 25, from Picayune, Mississippi, was shot dead by the assailant after he exited the vehicle and opened fire on the crowd, according to his mother.

Cathy Tenedorio recounted sharing dinner with her son on New Year’s Eve.

She told Sky News: “Matthew and his friends decided to go into The Quarter despite our attempts to dissuade him.

They were walking on Bourbon Street around 3:15 AM when everything unfolded before them.

The truck crashed into a construction lift before the man jumped out and began firing a weapon.

“My son was killed instantly… I had just hugged and kissed him goodnight, expressing my love for him. He had so much potential and worked at the Super Dome stadium, which was his dream job.”

The New Orleans Saints confirmed that Mr. Tenedorio was a video producer responsible for generating content for both the NFL team and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.

“We remain heartbroken by the tragic events that claimed innocent lives in our city yesterday,” the Saints stated on their official social media account.

“Among those lost was Matthew Tenedorio, a valued member of the ASM New Orleans video production team.

“Matthew was young, talented, and had a promising future ahead of him.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the Tenedorio family and everyone affected by this senseless act of terrorism.”

Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez, a single mother, was also among those who perished in the attack.

At 27 years old and hailing from Metairie, Louisiana, she was the mother of a four-year-old son.

Recently promoted to manager at her workplace, Kimmy’s Deli, she was “extremely excited” about her new role, according to her employer Kimberly Usher.

Ms. Perez often brought her son, Melo, to work with her to teach him foundational skills during her breaks.

“She was a truly good mother,” stated Ms. Usher, who has been raising funds through GoFundMe to cover Ms. Perez’s burial expenses.

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Reggie Hunter

Reggie Hunter was another confirmed victim, a father of two from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

His cousin, Shirell Jackson, told NBC News that the 37-year-old warehouse manager was a “wonderful person” with a “big heart.”

It is reported that Mr. Hunter was with a cousin who survived the attack.

He had just left work and was on his way to celebrate the New Year when the incident occurred.

Hubert Gauthreaux

Hubert Gauthreaux, 21 years old and a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was also a victim of the tragedy.

In a statement, Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana expressed: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic loss of our alumnus Hubert Gauthreaux, class of 2021, who was tragically taken in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter.”

Kareem Badawi

23-year-old Kareem Badawi, a first-year student at the University of Alabama, was also among those who perished. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he had traveled to New Orleans with friends for the New Year celebrations.

“My son was full of life,” his father Belal Badawi shared during an interview.

After his family learned about the truck attack, they tried to get in touch with Kareem, but he did not respond.

“Then I tracked his phone to find it was in the vicinity of the incident,” Mr. Badawi recounted. “It became clear something was wrong. We jumped into the car from Baton Rouge and rushed to the hospital, waiting hours until the FBI arrived with the list of casualties.”

“I lost my son. He was a good boy. His life was taken suddenly and without cause. He did nothing to deserve such a tragedy.”

The president of the University of Alabama, Stuart R Bell, stated in a Facebook post that he grieves along with Mr. Badawi’s family and friends over this “heartbreaking loss.”

“Our staff have been actively engaged in supportive outreach and the office of student care and wellbeing is available,” he stated.

“Please take a moment to pray for those affected by this tragedy.”

Andrew ‘Drew’ Dauphin

Drew Dauphin, 26, from Montgomery, Alabama, was another casualty of the attack.

Auburn University announced via X that 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin “was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack.”

“Words cannot express the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time,” stated university president Christopher B Roberts.

Mr. Dauphin was employed as a supplier process engineer at the American Honda Motor Company in Birmingham, Alabama, according to his LinkedIn profile.

William ‘Billy’ DiMaio

25-year-old William ‘Billy’ DiMaio grew up on Long Island, New York, before relocating with his family to Holmdel, New Jersey. He was in Louisiana celebrating New Year with friends.

His parents, Bill and Tracie DiMaio, shared with The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate that their son was a “good, humble kid” who “loved life.”

He worked for the US broadcasting company Audacy Inc, which expressed its “heartbreak” over his passing, according to the newspaper.

“Beyond his professional endeavors, Billy will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive demeanor, and kindness. He was a tremendous asset to the Audacy team, and his presence will be profoundly missed,” the company added.

As the eldest of three children, Mr. DiMaio had a close bond with his brother and sister, viewing his father as his best friend. He notably had a tattoo featuring the names of all his cousins, as reported by the paper.

He graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 2022, where he captained the championship lacrosse team.

The college commented that it is reflecting on the “positive impact he made on so many within our close-knit community.”

Terrence Kennedy

Terrence Kennedy, a 63-year-old native of New Orleans, was also tragically affected by this incident.

According to his younger sister Jacqueline Kennedy, her brother was renowned for his kindness and passion for sports.

“My brother had a kind heart. He was affectionate, caring, and generous—he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers,” she recalled.

After years in the service industry and maintenance, Mr. Kennedy enjoyed his retirement strolling through the bustling French Quarter.

“Bourbon is like a free party,” his niece Monisha James shared with The Associated Press. “He savored the city he loved for 63 years.”

Mr. Kennedy informed his sister on New Year’s Eve that he was going out. When he didn’t answer his phone the next morning, the family spent a frantic day searching until the coroner verified he had perished in the New Year’s Day attack.

Ms. James described her uncle as a helper and handyman. Whether fixing up a home or playing with his nieces and nephews, he was always eager to assist others.

“He was a sweet, kind, and loving person who would never wish harm upon anyone,” she reflected.

She added that his death was a shock to the family, especially given that several of Mr. Kennedy’s siblings had passed before him, including a sister who had died merely a month earlier.

“This news was a tremendous shock to our family as we never could have anticipated that this would happen to him,” she remarked.

Elliot Wilkinson

Elliot Wilkinson, 40, from Slidell, Louisiana, was confirmed dead by the city’s coroner and is believed to have succumbed to blunt force injuries.

His older brother Cecil Wilkinson expressed his love in a Facebook post directed at Mr. Wilkinson: “You were loved, and you will truly be missed.”

“I was unprepared to receive the call informing me that you were among the victims in New Orleans, in the French Quarter,” he wrote.

Brandon Taylor

43-year-old Brandon Taylor, from Harvey, Louisiana, had his death confirmed by the New Orleans coroner Thursday night. His preliminary cause of death was reported to be blunt force injuries.

Unknown female

Investigators are still attempting to identify one victim, believed to be a female, who also died from blunt force injuries, according to the coroner’s preliminary report.