What to know about New Orleans attack victims
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Memorials for people killed on Bourbon Street are seen on Friday. Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Fourteen people were killed in the Bourbon Street terrorist attack on New Year's Day and dozens more were injured.
The big picture: The victims include locals, tourists, parents, students and people who were just trying to enjoy a celebratory night in the French Quarter.
- They have all been identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office and family members.
- The cause of death for all was blunt force injuries, the coroner said.
Catch up quick: The suspect, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Houston, drove a pickup truck through the crowds on Bourbon Street before opening fire, officials say.
- He was shot to death by police, bringing the death toll to 15. The FBI says he was inspired by ISIS.
- He visited New Orleans at least twice before the attack and used Meta glasses to record the streets of the French Quarter, the FBI said.
Zoom in: President Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans on Monday to "grieve with the families," the White House said Friday.
- Officials are asking for blood donations, and families are seeking assistance with burial expenses for their loved ones. Go deeper for how to help.
- The FBI also opened a family assistance center on Sunday where victims and their families can get personal items left at the scene.
Here's what we know about the victims from their families, friends and the coroner.
Kareem Badawi, 18
Kareem Badawi was a 2024 graduate of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, which had a vigil for him Thursday night, WBRZ reports.
- He was studying engineering at the University of Alabama, his father, Belal Badawi, told NPR.
- Badawi mourned his son on Facebook and asked "Allah Almighty to shower his mercy on him and give us patience and strength."
Martin "Tiger" Bech, 27
Tiger Bech, a former standout college football player, was kept on life support until his family arrived, according to KLFY.
- He played football for St. Thomas More Catholic School in Lafayette, where he graduated in 2015, before going on to play for Princeton. He graduated from there in 2021, KLFY said, and was living in New York.
- "Love you always brother," his brother Jack Bech posted on X on Wednesday. "You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don't worry. This is for us."
Drew Dauphin, 26
Drew Dauphin, a 2023 graduate of Auburn University in Alabama, was among those killed in the attack, University president Christopher Roberts confirmed in a statement.
- "Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew's family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time," he said.
- Dauphin lived in Montgomery, according to the coroner.
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux traveled from Gulfport, Mississippi, to attend New Year's Eve celebrations in New Orleans with her cousin and a friend, per NOLA.com.
- Known as Cheyenne, the 18-year-old graduated from Harrison Central High School in Gulfport last year and was due to start a nursing program at Blue Cliff College on Jan. 13, her mother told the outlet.
- "She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything," Melissa Dedeaux, 40, said.
William "Billy" DiMaio, 25
Billy DiMaio was a New York-based account executive for Audacy, the broadcasting company told Axios.
- "Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness," an Audacy spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
- He lived in Holmdel, New Jersey, the coroner said.
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21
Hubert Gauthreux lived in Gretna and was a 2021 graduate of Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero.
- The school started a GoFundMe page for his family.
Reggie Hunter, 37
Reggie Hunter and a cousin went to Bourbon Street after work on a "whim," his cousin Shirell Jackson told NOLA.com.
- The pickup truck hit both, killing the 37-year-old Prairieville father of two and seriously injuring his cousin.
- Hunter's family started a GoFundMe for burial costs.
Terrence Kennedy, 63
Terrence Kennedy lived in New Orleans and told his family he was going to Bourbon Street to have a drink and ring in the new year, according to NOLA.com.
- The Walter Cohen High School grad was "just enjoying his city and not bothering nobody," his niece told the paper.
Nicole Perez, 27
Nicole Perez had a 4-year-old son and worked at a deli in Metairie, her family told NOLA.com.
- Her pregnant sister and her mother were admitted to the hospital after learning of Perez's death, The Washington Post reported.
- Her employer created a GoFundMe for Perez's burial expenses.
Edward Pettifer, 31
Edward Pettifer of London was killed in the attack, according to the BBC.
- "The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed's death in New Orleans," his family told the BBC. "He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many."
- Pettifer is the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny, People says.
LaTasha Polk, 47
LaTasha Polk was from New Orleans' Treme neighborhood, family members told WDSU and NOLA.com.
- She was a certified nursing assistant and had a 14-year-old son.
- Polk's brother was still missing as of Saturday night, his family told NOLA.com.
Brandon Taylor, 43
Brandon Taylor of Terrytown was celebrating on Bourbon Street with his fiancée Heather Genusa, his mom told NOLA.com.
- Genusa dodged the truck just before it crashed into the crane, but Taylor was hit, she told the paper. She pulled him off the front of the truck and helped him breath until medics arrived.
- The Marrero native was a graduate of John Ehret High School and a cook at DiMartino's, the report said.
Matthew Tenedorio, 25
Matthew Tenedorio was an audiovisual technician for the Caesars Superdome, according to the GoFundMe created for his burial costs.
- He lived in Picayune, Mississippi, and was a graduate of Pearl River Central High School, his family wrote in the post.
- "Matthew was always the one to lighten the mood, able to laugh off life's challenges and spread positivity wherever he went," his cousins wrote on the fundraiser page. The Saints mourned him too.
Elliot Wilkinson, 40
Elliot Wilkinson was a Slidell native and had been living on the streets recently, his brother told NOLA.com.
- He graduated from Northside High School in Lafayette, the report said, and was working with nonprofit organizations to find housing.
The injured
At least 35 people were injured in the attack, the FBI said Friday, and the number is expected to rise as additional people seek medical attention.
- A University of Georgia student was critically injured, according to a statement from the school. Elle Eisele, 19, is from Fort Myers, Florida, WBBH reports.
- Steele Idelson, 19, also from Fort Myers, is among the injured, WBBH reports. She and Eisele both graduated from Canterbury School in Fort Myers in 2023. Idelson attends San Diego State University.
- Parker Vidrine, a 2024 alum of Episcopal in Baton Rouge, was critically injured, WBRZ says.
- Two NOPD officers were injured during the gunfight that killed Jabbar, officials said. They didn't give details about the severity of the injuries.
- Two Israeli nationals were injured, a Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told ABC News. A representative of the Israeli Consulate is on his way to New Orleans, the report says.
- Adam Coste, an employee at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, has "extensive injuries to his lower extremities," his friend wrote on a GoFundMe page for the Army veteran.
- Ryan Quigley, a 26-year-old Princeton grad, was with Bech when they were hit, the GoFundMe says. Bech died and Quigley is hospitalized.
- Jeremi Sensky is a quadriplegic father who was knocked out of his wheelchair, his daughter wrote on a GoFundMe update. He broke both legs and is in the ICU.
- Amazon employee Alexis Scott-Windham, 23, of Mobile, Alabama, and her friend, 22-year-old Brandon Whitsett, were injured, along with two more friends, she told NOLA.com. Scott-Windham's foot was run over and she was shot.
- Emile Luui, 23, broke his ribs, pelvis, clavicle and legs, his mom, Carmela Graham of New Orleans, wrote on GoFundMe.
Zoom in: The victims are being treated at University Medical Center and other hospitals, according to the city.
- Families with loved ones at UMC are asked to go to the hospital's conference center on the first floor for information.
What's next: The Archdiocese of New Orleans is hosting a public prayer service at 6pm Monday at St. Louis Cathedral.
Go deeper: Sign up for Axios New Orleans
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout. This story has also been corrected to reflect that Kareem Badawi was 18 (not 23).
Sareen Habeshian and Rebecca Falconer contributed reporting.