(NEW ORLEANS) — A young mother teaching her son to read. A former college football player “on top of the world” living in New York City. An 18-year-old aspiring nurse. A father of two remembered as the “life of the party.”
Family members and friends have begun identifying the 14 people who died in the truck-ramming attack early Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was allegedly “hell-bent” on killing as many people as possible when he steered a pickup truck around barricades and plowed into a crowd of people ringing in the New Year, according to New Orleans Superintendent of Police Anne Kirkpatrick.
Here’s what we know about the victims so far:
Kareem Badawi
In his final text message exchange with his son, Belal Badawi wished his son a happy new year.
Kareem Badawi responded “Happy New Year baba,” which is Arabic for “daddy.”
The text message was the last communication Belal Badawi had with his son. The family traveled from Baton Rouge to New Orleans on New Year’s Day to track down Kareem Badawi, eventually learning he was killed in the attack.
Kareem Badawi was a freshman at the University of Alabama, majoring in mechanical engineering.
“He was incredibly smart and dedicated to his studies, always pushing himself to be the best,” his family said in a statement. “On top of that, he was a talented athlete, known for his hard work and team spirit. But what truly set Kareem apart was his kindness. He was sweet, loving, and caring, always there for his family and friends.”
The statement went on to say: “Kareem’s smile and humor truly lit up every room. As a son, brother, cousin, and friend, he was someone everyone could count on. With his bright future ahead of him, Kareem was destined for great things, and he’ll be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Kareem Badawi was a member of the Sigma Chi International fraternity and the Iota Iota chapter at the University of Alabama.
He graduated from the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge last year.
A fellow alumnus was also critically injured and is hospitalized, the school said.
Badawi was attending the University of Alabama, according to a statement from the university president.
“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans. I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” President Stuart Bell said in a statement.
Tiger Bech, 27
Tiger Bech’s death was confirmed to ABC News by his mother, Michelle Bech.
Michelle Bech said her son, 27, played football at Princeton University and moved to New York City after graduating in 2021 to work for Seaport Global, a capital markets firm.
She told ABC News that her son lived life to the fullest and was “on top of the world.”
She said her son was in Louisiana for a long weekend of hunting and fishing, two of his favorite activities, with college friends from Princeton. He was scheduled to fly back to New York City Wednesday afternoon.
His younger brother, Jack Bech, is a wide receiver for Texas Christian University Football. Michelle Bech said Tiger Bech frequently flew down from New York City over the past two years to attend his brother’s games.
In a statement to ABC News, Princeton’s football coach Bob Surace described Tiger Bech as “a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend.”
Drew Dauphin
Drew Dauphin’s death was confirmed in a statement issued by Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts.
Dauphin was a 2023 graduate of the university, according to 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’ statement read.
“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,” the statement continued.
In an interview with ABC News on Thursday, Dauphin’s family friends Becky Devereux and Karen Keene, said Drew and his little brother, Matthew, 24, were on Bourbon Street together during the attack.
“They had been out, and they went to get some pizza, and Drew stepped out with his pizza,” said Devereux.
Matthew Dauphin survived the attack but left Bourbon Street without a brother.
“We did not get to spend enough time with him and can’t believe we will never see him again this side of heaven,” the Dauphin family said in a statement.
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux’s death was confirmed to ABC News by her mother, Melissa Dedeaux.
Melissa Dedeaux remembered her 18-year-old daughter as a kind and outgoing young woman who was excited to attend nursing school this year.
“She was a sweet person. She was outgoing, she was very loved,” said Melissa Dedeaux, who said goodbye to her daughter for the final time Tuesday night.
Melissa Dedeaux said she begged her daughter not to go to Bourbon Street for New Years’ Eve like she had done the year prior.
Melissa Dedeaux said she was worried about the danger of the area, and she needed her daughter to pick her up from her overnight shift at work at 7:30 a.m.
When another family member picked her up from work, she said she sensed something was wrong. She said her brother-in-law broke the news to her once she got home.
Melissa Dedeaux said she hopes others remember her daughter as a kind person.
“She was a good person, and even though she was loved by many, it can happen to anybody,” she said.
Billy DiMaio, 25
Billy DiMaio, 25, is being remembered by his former teammates and coworkers as a kind-hearted and hard-working young man.
At Holmdel High School, DiMaio was a star lacrosse player who graduated in 2017.
“Billy was a remarkable young man on and off the field,” the Holmdel High School Boys Lacrosse team said in a statement.
At Chestnut Hill College, DiMaio was a “star student” who captained the school’s lacrosse team in 2022, leading his teammates to a championship title, according to the school. He studied business administration as an undergraduate before obtaining a masters in organizational leadership in 2022.
“Our prayers are with the entire DiMaio family at this tragic hour, as our entire college reflects upon the positive impact he had upon so many in our close community,” Chestnut Hill College said in a statement.
He worked for Audacy’s New York office as an account executive for more than two years and is remembered by his colleagues for his “unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness” according to a company spokesperson.
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21
Huber Gauthreaux, 21, was identified as a victim in Wednesday’s attack in a statement from the Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana, from which he graduated in 2021.
“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,” a statement from the school said. “He was 21 years old.”
Reggie Hunter, 37
Reggie Hunter’s death was confirmed by his first cousin, Shirell Jackson.
“He did not deserve this,” she told ABC News’ Diane Macedo. “It’s senseless; it’s cruel. …I wish none of this had ever happened.”
Jackson said Hunter, 37, leaves behind two sons, 11-year-old Landon Hunter and 18-month-old Christian Hunter. She described her cousin as the “life of the party” with a big heart who was funny, loving and caring.
“This is hurting all of us differently and on so many levels,” she said. “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.”
Terrence Kennedy, 63
Terrence Kennedy’s death was confirmed to ABC News by his sister, LaTonya Kennedy.
Terrence Kennedy, 63, loved spending time in New Orleans’ French Quarter, according to his sister. She remembered her brother as a man who could make friends with anybody he met.
“He loved the French Quarter, and the only thing he would do, he’d get one can of beer and go stand up and talk to everybody,” she told ABC News. “He might stand right there on Bourbon and Carondelet Street and talk for five hours.”
LaTonya Kennedy said she last saw Terrence Kennedy on New Year’s Eve before he departed for Bourbon Street.
“I had gave my brother a big old hug and kiss, told him Happy New Years. Told him be careful,” she said, recounting how he wore “big old 2025 eyeglasses” to ring in the New Year.
LaTonya Kennedy said she hopes to remember her brother as a man who could walk into any room and befriend anyone he met.
Nicole Perez, 27
Nicole Perez, 27 was confirmed as one of the victims by Kimberly Usher-Fall, her employer and family friend.
Usher-Fall said Perez had recently been promoted to a manager at one of her stores and she was really excited about the position.
She said Perez brought her 4-year-old son, Melo (Melvin), with her to work and she was helping him learn how to read.
“She was a great mother,” Usher-Fall told ABC News’ Diane Macedo. “She just was a really exciting little young lady and she was getting herself together.”
Usher-Fall said Perez was out with her friends for New Year’s Eve when she was struck by the truck. She was taken to University Hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
Usher-Fall has previously shared the news of Perez’s passing Wednesday morning on a GoFundMe page.
“She was so beautiful and full of life. 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.”
Matthew Tenedorio, 25
The death of Matthew Tenedorio, 25, was confirmed to ABC News by his parents, Louis and Cathy Tenedorio.
Tenedorio worked as a fiber optics and video professional at the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, according to his parents, who said they felt he had a boundless future.
Cathy Tenedorio described her son as the “life of the room” whose warmth and humor was treasured by his friends. Asked what she would miss about her son, she answered, “Everything. His beautiful face, laugh. ‘I love you mom.’ You know he was just a wonderful son.”
The Tenedorios last saw their son at dinner on New Year’s Eve before he departed for a night out with friends on Bourbon Street.
They both qualms about him staying out late on New Year’s Eve.
“But all I did was just hug him and tell him, ‘I love you. Happy New Year. Please text me when you get home.’ And that text never came,” Cathy Tenedorio said.
The Tenedorios began trying to contact their son Wednesday morning, attempting to piece together his last steps by asking his friends. They described a scene of chaos and carnage that caused the group to split up. By the time the shooting stopped, they couldn’t find Matthew, his parents said.
“By noon, I had a good idea that something terrible happened to my son,” Louis Tenedorio said.
Louis and Cathy recounted calling hospitals and reporting their son missing and then eventually going to a family reunification center at the University Medical Center hospital.
“I heard parents screaming and crying this afternoon. It just broke my heart,” Cathy Tenedorio said, describing the agony of waiting to learn their son’s fate.
In a statement issued today, the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans remembered Matthew Tenedorio as a valued member of their video production team who had a “bright future”
“Matthew was young, talented, and had a bright future, helping deliver quality content for both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the Tenedorio family and everyone affected by this senseless act of terrorism,” the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans said in a statement.
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