UNITED STATES – A future nurse, a former college American football player, a single mother… The portraits of some of the 15 people who died in the attack in New Orleans (Louisiana), during the New Year festivities, are beginning to appear take shape in the American press.
Attack in New Orleans: who is the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, shot dead by police
Among these victims, one of them was just entering his adult life. Aged 18, Nikyra Dedeaux was struck in the French Quarter by the pickup truck of the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was then shot and killed by police. “ “He hit her and threw her at least 30 feet and I was lucky to be alive.”a friend who accompanied him that evening, Zion Parsons, told the Associated Press. He described Nikyra Dedeaux as a responsible person, who took care of everyone. Nicknamed « Biscuit » by her family and close friends, the young woman was going to start studying to become a nurse.
“We didn’t know she was there, because I would have advised her not to go there, especially during the holiday season”declared to New York Times Jennifer Smith, his grandmother. “None of my children go to holiday parties. I always had this fear”she added.
Martin “Tiger” Becha former American football player at Princeton University, was also among the victims of the attack. On its social networks, the famous University of New Jersey also paid tribute to the young man.
Aged 28, “Tiger” Bech was an elite athlete and the older brother of Jack Bech, a former American football player at Louisiana State University (LSU). “I will always love you brother. You inspired me every day and now you can be with me every moment”wrote the latter in a moving message on social networks.
Father of two children and originally from Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Reggie Hunter37, had decided at the last minute to go to Bourbon Street after finishing his work day. He and his cousin were both hit by the car, with the latter surviving his injuries. As local channel Fox 8 reports, Reggie Hunter’s family members described him as a devoted father who loved life. Her two sons were 12 years and 18 months old.
Among the other victims, Nicole Pereza 27-year-old single mother. She had just been promoted to manager of a restaurant in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans. Her colleague, Kimberly Usher, described her as a hard-working woman who was passionate about providing a better life for her 4-year-old son, Melo.
Hubert Gauthreaux21, was a former graduate of Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero (Louisiana). “It is with great sadness that we announce that alumnus Hubert Gauthreaux, Class of 2021, was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter.”the school said in a statement.
-Among the youngest victims, we find Kareem Badawi18 years old, a Palestinian-American who had joined the University of Alabama at the start of the school year. His friends and classmates remember him as a kind and ambitious man.
Matthew Tenedorioa 25-year-old audiovisual technician, also died during the attack. His mother, Cathy Tenedorio, told US broadcaster NBC News that she last saw her son alive at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, adding that she remembered hugging and kissing him. He had a “relaxed spirit and contagious laughter” who brought joy to those around him, reports the BBC.
The FBI was investigating this Thursday, January 2, into this attack on a former American soldier, “inspired” by the Islamic State group, which rushed its car into a crowd in the French tourist district of New Orleans on Wednesday evening, leaving at least 15 dead and around thirty injured.
After knocking down, killing and injuring dozens of bystanders, the man was shot dead in a shootout with police. Two police officers were injured. The 42-year-old suspect was identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a “US national from Texas” and former Army soldier, by the federal police and the FBI.
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