What we all know in regards to the victims of the New Orleans truck assault

A former extensive receiver at Princeton College, a doting father of two and a latest highschool graduate have been recognized by relations as three of the individuals killed within the truck assault Wednesday in New Orleans.

At the very least 15 individuals have been killed and greater than 30 have been injured when a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas plowed a pickup into crowds on Bourbon Avenue celebrating the brand new 12 months, authorities mentioned. He opened hearth on responding officers and was killed, officers have mentioned.

An Islamic State group flag was discovered within the truck, the FBI mentioned. It mentioned that it’s wanting into the suspect’s potential connections with terrorist organizations and that it’s investigating the assault as an act of terrorism.

New Orleans police and officers with the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Workplace haven’t launched the names of the individuals who have been killed; nevertheless, relations have recognized some.

Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, 27

Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, was killed, his mom, Michelle Bech, informed NBC Information on Wednesday afternoon.

Tiger Bech, a graduate of Princeton College, the place he was an completed extensive receiver and punt returner, lived in New York Metropolis and labored as a junior bond dealer for a Wall Avenue firm, his mom mentioned.

He was with a pal on Bourbon Avenue when the truck hit him, his mom mentioned. His pal survived the assault. Tiger Bech was later pronounced useless at a hospital, however Michelle Bech mentioned she was in a position to say goodbye to him earlier than he died.

“He was dwelling his finest life, and he knew it,” she mentioned. “It simply leaves an enormous void in our life.”

Bech, of Lafayette, Louisiana, mentioned Tiger Bech skilled along with his youthful brother, Jack, a large receiver at Texas Christian College who was getting ready for the NFL draft.

Tiger was his youngest brother’s “greatest supporter,” she mentioned.

Jack Bech posted on X about his brother’s demise:

“Love you at all times brother! You impressed me on a regular basis now you get to be with me in each second. I received this household T, don’t fear. That is for us.” He ended the message with a coronary heart emoji.

Princeton’s athletic division mentioned in an announcement Wednesday that Bech’s nickname was becoming.

“He was a ‘Tiger’ in each approach — a ferocious competitor with countless vitality, a beloved teammate and a caring pal,” head soccer coach Bob Surace mentioned. “Our final dialog was about how proud I used to be of the expansion he confirmed throughout his time at Princeton and the success he was having after commencement. My love goes to all the Bech household.”

Bech was a member of the 2016 and 2018 Ivy League champion groups. He earned two All-Ivy honors as a return specialist for the Tigers, together with second-team accolades in 2018, the college’s first excellent season since 1964, the college mentioned.

Bech additionally recorded 53 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns as extensive receiver, Princeton mentioned.

His highschool, St. Thomas Extra Catholic Excessive Faculty, in Lafayette, mentioned in an announcement Wednesday that the group was mourning his demise. Bech graduated in 2015 and was referred to as a “standout” in soccer, lacrosse and observe and area, the college mentioned.

Reggie Hunter, 37

Reggie Hunter, 37, of Baton Rouge, died after the truck hit him, mentioned his cousin Shirell Jackson, of Hammond, Louisiana.

Jackson mentioned she rushed to College Medical Heart, the place Hunter was pronounced useless.

She described her cousin as an “superior particular person” and “a little-bitty man” with a “huge coronary heart.” She mentioned Hunter, a supervisor at a warehouse, was extraordinarily humorous and adored his kids, boys ages 11 and 1.

“He simply didn’t deserve this,” Jackson mentioned.

He had been with one other cousin who survived the assault, she mentioned.

On the hospital, Jackson ran throughout others who had misplaced family members.

“I want the mother who I’ve seen on the hospital wasn’t crying and her daughter wasn’t useless,” she mentioned. She mentioned there was additionally a pair whose son had died.

No matter a motive, the assault may have lasting penalties, Jackson mentioned.

“Whether or not it was a terrorist or Joe Blow … from no matter, Louisiana, what they carried out was horrible,” she mentioned. “They devastated so many lives.”

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux 

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, a latest highschool graduate, was killed, her grandmother Jennifer Smith informed The New York Instances.

Her mom, Melissa Dedeaux, mentioned Wednesday on Fb that her daughter was killed and requested for prayers.

“When your dad and mom say don’t go wherever please take heed to them…this was an act of terroism and now my child is gone y’all,” she wrote. “my child is gone she is not with us.”

The submit was accompanied by {a photograph} of Ni’Kyra carrying a pink commencement cap and robe.

Dedeaux couldn’t be reached for remark.

Matthew Tenedorio, 25

Matthew Tenedorio, 25, was remembered as somebody whose laid-back spirit introduced pleasure to these round him.

“Matthew was at all times the one to lighten the temper, in a position to giggle off life’s challenges and unfold positivity wherever he went,” his household wrote in a web based fundraiser after this demise.

His mom, Cathy Tenedorio, of Carriere, Mississippi, mentioned the final time she noticed her son was round 9 p.m. Tuesday, New Yr’s Eve. Matthew Tenedorio then mentioned he wished to go to the French Quarter with pals.

The following time she noticed him was on the morgue, she mentioned. She remembered she kissed and hugged him simply the night time earlier than.

Cathy Tenedorio mentioned her son labored on the Superdome, the place his on-line fundraiser mentioned he was an audiovisual technician. She mentioned it was the job of his goals.