Eight victims of Bourbon Street terror attack identified

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Family members and the school community have identified eight victims killed in the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street, in which an Islamic State-inspired suspect deliberately drove a pickup truck through crowds of people before opening fire.

As of Thursday morning, the newly identified victims include Drew Dauphin, an Auburn University graduate, and Matthew Tenedorio, a beloved audio-visual technician for the Superdome.

Drew Dauphin

Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts issued a heartfelt statement in memory of Dauphin, who will graduate in 2023.

“Words cannot express the sorrow the Auburn family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts go out to the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy,” Roberts said.

Matthew Tenedorio

A graduate of Pearl River Central High School, Tenedorio was remembered by loved ones as a happy and positive presence. He worked as an audio visual technician at the Superdome and contributed to countless events and memories.

“Matthew was always the one to lighten the mood, able to laugh at life’s challenges and spread positivity wherever he went,” his family said in a GoFundMe campaign launched to cover funeral expenses.

Tenedorio is survived by his parents, Lou and Cathy, his siblings Jonathon and Jeremy and his niece and nephews, Dalila, Dante, Leo and Felix. The family is facing financial difficulties due to his mother’s recent battle with cancer and they are asking for public support.

The first victims identified include high school graduates, parents of young children and soccer stars.

Nikyra Dedeaux, 18

Mississippi native Nikyra Dedeaux was described by her friends and family as a young woman with big dreams of becoming a nurse. She celebrated New Year’s Eve in New Orleans with her friend Zion Parsons, who witnessed the attack.

“Right, bodies up and down the street, everybody screaming and yelling,” Parsons said, describing the chaos. He tearfully recounted how he had to inform Dedeaux’s mother of her death.

“I hadn’t had time to cry before I called her mom and she asked me, ‘Where’s my baby.’ It broke me,” Parsons said.

Reggie Hunter, 37

Reggie Hunter, a father of two from Baton Rouge, made a last-minute decision to visit Bourbon Street after finishing his shift at work. Hunter and his cousin were both struck by the speeding vehicle. His cousin survived with injuries, but Hunter tragically died from his.

Family members described him as a devoted father who had a love of life. His cousin, Shirell Jackson, said the family is in shock over the loss.

Tiger Bech, 28

A former Princeton University football star and graduate, Tiger Bech was among the victims of the attack. The 28-year-old Lafayette native was remembered as a standout athlete and the older brother of former LSU football player Jack Bech.

“You inspired me every day; now you can be with me every moment.” his brother wrote in a heartfelt post on social media.

Nicole Perez, late 20s

Nicole Perez, a single mother of a 4-year-old son, had just been promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metairie. Her colleague, Kimberly Usher, described her as a hard-working woman who was passionate about providing a better life for her son, Melo.

Kareem Badawi

Among the victims was Kareem Badawi, a recent Episcopal High School graduate. Friends and classmates remember him as kind and ambitious, although further details are not yet available.

Hubert Gauthreaux, 21

A spokesman for Archbishop Shaw High School confirmed that Hubert Gauthreaux was among those killed in the attack. Gauthreaux graduated from Shaw in 2021 and was remembered as a bright and promising young man.

FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia confirmed Thursday that the attack was premeditated and carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, who acted alone. Jabbar killed 14 and injured 35 others after driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street before engaging in a deadly shootout with police.

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