An Ex-Football Player, an Aspiring Nurse, and a Dad with a 'Big Heart': What We Know About New Orleans Victims

Crowds of joyous revelers had gathered on New Orleans’ historic Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s French Quarter to ring in the new year when a pickup truck plowed into them, leaving at least 14 innocent people dead and injuring dozens more.

After the driver crashed his truck at around 3:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day, he was involved in a police shootout which left two officers injured, but in stable condition. The driver, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, died in the exchange of gunfire.

Police later said that Jabbar, who had an ISIS flag in his pickup truck, acted alone, and that the violence was an act of terror.

Authorities have yet to announce the names of all the victims, but friends and family mourning their loved ones have identified some.

Here is everything we know about the people who died in the tragic incident in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day:

Martin “Tiger” Bech, 28

Bech was a former Princeton University football star, whose death was confirmed by his brother, Jack Bech, on social media, as well as his mother, Michelle Bech, who spoke with ABC News.

Michelle told the outlet that her son lived life to the fullest and was “on top of the world.” She added that Martin had been in Louisiana for a weekend of hunting and fishing with college friends from Princeton and had been scheduled to fly back to New York City on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 1. 

“[He was] a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend,” Princeton football coach Bob Surace said in a statement.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help support the sports star’s family with funeral costs.

Nicole Perez, 27

Perez was a mother from Metairie, La., and had recently been promoted at the deli where she worked, according to ABC News. 

Kimberley Usher-Fall, Perez’s manager and friend, told the outlet, “She just was a really exciting little young lady,” adding that Perez would often bring her son Melo to the deli, where she would help him learn how to read. 

Nicole’s mother spoke about her daughter’s death on the Today show Thursday, Jan. 2, saying she had no idea how she was going to break the tragedy to Nicole’s 5-year-old son.

“Her baby, what am I supposed to tell him? I don’t know how I can explain it to him,” Martha Perez shared in the interview.

A GoFundMe campaign created by Usher-Fall to cover burial costs has raised nearly $40,000 as of Jan. 2.

Reggie Hunter, 37

Hunter was a father-of-two and warehouse manager who had just gotten off work when he decided to celebrate the new year with his cousin, who was injured in the attack but survived, his other cousin, Shirell Jackson, told NOLA.com. 

“They decided to go out there because he came in from work and said, ‘Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go to the city,'” Jackson said, per the outlet. “Just something so simple. ‘Hey cuz, wanna ride me to the city?'”

Hunter was remembered by Jackson as an “awesome person” and “a little-bitty guy” with a “big heart,” NBC News reported.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help offset Hunter’s funeral costs.

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18

Dedeaux, a native of Gulfport, Miss., was a recent high school graduate.

“She was a joy for the little time we had her,” Dedeaux’s grandmother, Jennifer Smith, told The New York Times. “It’s hard to believe that she’s gone.”

Smith told the new outlet that the teenager’s family didn’t know she was out celebrating and “would’ve discouraged it” had they known.

“None of my kids go to New Year’s parties,” Smith said. “I’ve always had that fear.”

The girl’s mother, Melissa Dedeaux, said her daughter, who planned to attend nursing school, was “a sweet person” who was “outgoing and very loved,” according to ABC News. 

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Matthew Tenedorio, 25

Tenedorio was confirmed as one of the victims on a GoFundMe campaign created by loved ones. 

He was an audiovisual technician for the Caesars Superdome, the home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, according to the fundraiser.

“Matthew was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose laid-back spirit and infectious laughter brought joy to everyone around him,” the fundraiser’s description read.

His parents, Louis and Cathy Tenedorio, told ABC News they last saw their son at dinner on New Year’s Eve before he went out to celebrate with friends.

Kareem Badawi

Badawi was a student at the University of Alabama. University President Stuart R. Bell confirmed he was among the victims killed in the attack in a statement shared on Facebook. PEOPLE couldn’t immediately confirm his age.

“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans,” Bell wrote.

He added, “I grieve alongside [the] family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss. Our staff have been actively engaged in supportive outreach and the Office of Student Care and Well Being is available at 205-348-2461 or [email protected]. Please take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy.”

According to Atlanta News First, Badawi was a graduate of Episcopal High School.

Hubert Gauthreaux, 21

Gauthreaux’s death was confirmed in a Facebook post by Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, La., where he graduated in 2021.

“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,” the school wrote, in part.

Drew Dauphin

Dauphin was a 2023 graduate of Auburn University in Alabama. He was identified as one of the victims in a statement shared by Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts on Facebook Thursday, Jan. 2. PEOPLE couldn’t immediately confirm his age.

“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,” the statement read.

“Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” it continued. “Our thoughts are with the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy.”