Who are the victims of New Orleans attack on New Year's Day

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

The city’s coroner confirmed the names of all but two of the 14 people killed after a man drove a pick-up truck into crowds on New Year’s Day. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that 31-year-old Edward Pettifer from Chelsea in west London also died in the attack.

The identity of one victim, a female, is not yet known, with efforts to identify her continuing.

The coroner said the preliminary cause of death for all the victims was blunt force injuries.

The suspect has been identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was born and raised in the US.

The bureau is treating the attack as terrorism after an Islamic State (IS) flag was found on the back of the vehicle Jabbar was driving. He was later killed in a shoot-out with police.

Here are the victims of the New Year’s Day attack:

Edward Pettifer

Edward Pettifer, 31, was from Chelsea in west London. His death was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In a statement, Mr Pettifer’s family said they were “devastated” by his death.

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

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, died after being struck by the vehicle while celebrating the start of 2025 with her friend Zion Parsons.

Mr Parsons, also 18, has said Ms Dedeaux dreamed of becoming a nurse.

She had a job at a hospital and was set to start college and begin working towards her career goals, he said.

Mr Parsons described the scene of the attack: “A truck hit the corner and comes barreling through throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air. It hit her and flung her like at least 30 feet and I was just lucky to be alive.”

Ms Dedeaux was from Gulfport, Mississippi.

Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech

Tiger Bech, a 27-year-old Princeton University graduate, lived in New York City, where he was a junior bond trader for a Wall Street company.

His brother, Jack Bech, told Sky’s US correspondent James Matthews: “The last thing we ever said to each other, he told me he loved me.

“I told him I love him, he told me he loved me even more, hung up the phone – and that was the last words I ever spoke to him.”

Mr Bech said his brother was his best friend and role model.

“He was loved by so many people. He always made time for the little guy. He was special,” he said.

His family managed to see him while he was unconscious in hospital but still alive, time that Mr Bech said was precious to them.

“He couldn’t respond to any of us, but I truly believe he could hear us, his eyes were closed.”

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

“There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached,” Bob Surace 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.”

Analysis: IS flag stark reminder extremist ideology never went away

Matthew Tenedorio

Matthew Tenedorio, 25, from Picayune, Mississippi, was shot dead by the attacker after he got out of the vehicle and opened fire after ploughing into crowds, his mother said.

Cathy Tenedorio said she had dinner with her son on New Year’s Eve.

She told Sky News: “Matthew and his friends all decided to go into The Quarter. We tried to talk him out of it.

“They were walking down Bourbon Street at around 3.15am when everything happened right in front of them.

“The truck crashed into a construction lift. The man jumped out and started firing the gun.

“My son was killed instantly… I just hugged and kissed him last night. Told him I loved him. He had so much hope, a great future working at the Super Dome stadium in New Orleans. He had the job of his dreams.”

The New Orleans Saints confirmed Mr Tenedorio was a video producer who helped make content for both the NFL team and the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team.

“We remain heartbroken by the tragic events that claimed innocent lives in our city yesterday,” the Saints wrote on their official X page.

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

“Matthew was young, talented and had a bright future.

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

Nicole Perez

Single mother Nicole Perez was also among those killed in the attack.

Ms Perez, who was 27 and from Metairie in Louisiana, had a four-year-old son.

She had recently been promoted to manager at her job in Kimmy’s Deli and was “really excited about it”, her employer Kimberly Usher has said.

Ms Perez would bring her son, Melo, to work and teach him basic learning skills during her breaks.

“She was a really good mum,” said Ms Usher, who started a GoFundMe account to cover Ms Perez’s burial costs.

Reggie Hunter

Another victim confirmed by the New Orleans coroner’s office was father-of-two Reggie Hunter from Baton Rouge in Louisiana.

His cousin, Shirell Jackson, told NBC News the 37-year-old warehouse manager was an “awesome person” and “a little-bitty guy” with a “big heart.”

He had been with another cousin who survived the attack, she said.

It is believed Mr Hunter, from Prairieville, Louisiana, had just left work and headed out to celebrate the New Year when the attack happened.

Hubert Gauthreaux

Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, was from Gretna, Louisiana.

In a statement, the Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana, said: “It is with great sorrow that we share that alum Hubert Gauthreaux, class of 2021, was 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.”

Kareem Badawi

University of Alabama first-year student Kareem Badawi, 23, was also one of the victims. He was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and had gone to New Orleans with friends to celebrate the New Year.

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

After his family saw the news of the truck attack, they tried to reach Kareem, but he didn’t answer.

“Then I saw his phone when I tracked it was in the area that it happened,” Mr Badawi said. “So, then we knew that’s something wrong. He’s not answering. We drove to New Orleans. We live in Baton Rouge, we went to the hospital and we waited a few hours and the FBI came with the list of all the casualties.

“I lost my son. He’s a good boy. Unfortunately, his life ended that quick and with no reason. Just nothing he did to deserve for somebody to come and kill him.”

The University of Alabama president, Stuart R Bell, said in a statement posted on Facebook that he grieves alongside Mr Badawi’s family and friends in their “heartbreaking loss”.

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

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

Andrew ‘Drew’ Dauphin

Drew Dauphin, 26, from Montgomery, Alabama, also died in the attack.

Posting on its X account, Alabama’s Auburn University said 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin “was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack”.

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

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

William ‘Billy’ DiMaio

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

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

He worked for US broadcasting company Audacy Inc, which said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” about his death, the newspaper reported.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness. He was a true asset to the Audacy team, and his contributions and presence will be deeply missed,” the company said.

The oldest of three children, Mr DiMaio was close with his brother and sister and considered his father his best friend. He also had a tattoo featuring all of his cousins’ names, the newspaper reported.

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

The college said in a statement it is reflecting on the “positive impact he had upon so many in our close community”.

Terrence Kennedy

Terrence Kennedy, 63, was born and raised in New Orleans.

Mr Kennedy’s younger sister Jacqueline Kennedy said her brother was known for his big heart and his love of sports.

“My brother had a kind heart. He was loving and caring and giving and he loved the Pittsburgh Steelers,” she said.

After years working in the service industry and maintenance, Mr Kennedy spent his retirement doing what he loved: strolling down to catch the ever-present party in the French Quarter.

“Bourbon is like a free party,” his niece, Monisha James, told The Associated Press. “He was enjoying his city that he enjoyed for 63 years.”

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

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

“Just a sweet, kind, loving, helpful person that would not harm anyone,” she said.

She added that his death was a shock to the family after several of Mr Kennedy’s siblings died before him, including a sister who passed away a month ago.

“[His death] was such a shock to our family because never in a million years would you be able to tell me that’s what happened to him,” she said.

Elliot Wilkinson

Elliot Wilkinson was 40 years old and from Slidell, Louisiana. Like Mr Taylor, his death was also confirmed by the city’s coroner and he is believed to have died from blunt force injuries.

His older brother Cecil Wilkinson said in a Facebook post addressing Mr Wilkinson that he was loved “and you will truly be missed”.

“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,” he said in the post.

Brandon Taylor

Brandon Taylor was 43 years old and from Harvey, Louisiana.

His death was confirmed by the New Orleans coroner on Thursday night. His preliminary cause of death is blunt force injuries, according to the coroner.

Unknown female

Authorities are still working to identify one victim, who investigators said is a female. She also died from blunt force injuries, according to the coroner’s preliminary report.

This article was originally published by Sky.com. Read the original article here.

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