New Orleans Coroner Releases Most Names of Truck Attack Victims

A memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day stands on the sidewalk in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Jan. 3, 2025. George Walker IV/AP Photo

The New Orleans coroner’s office has identified most of the 14 victims who were killed after a man drove a truck into crowds on the city’s Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.

The coroner said on Friday that all the victims died from blunt force injuries. Thirty-five others were injured. The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Texas, was killed in a shoot-out with police.

The names of 12 victims have been released. Most of the victims were in their 20s, with the youngest being 18 and the oldest 63.

Of those, seven were from Louisiana, two from Mississippi, and one each from New York, Alabama, and New Jersey.

Here are the deceased victims of the attack:

Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux

One of the victims is Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an 18-year-old high school graduate. Her mother, Melissa Dedeaux, shared in a Facebook post that Dedeaux was killed in the attack and asked for prayers for her family.

“When your parents say don’t go anywhere please listen to them,” she posted on Facebook. “My baby is gone she is no longer with us.”

Her friend, Zion Parsons, said that Dedeaux aspired to become a nurse.

Elliot Wilkinson

Elliot Wilkinson, a 40-year-old man from Slidell, Louisiana, was remembered by his brother as someone who “was loved” and “will truly be missed.”

“I know life was hard for you at times. But I wasn’t expecting to get the phone call this morning you was one of them that got hit in New Orleans in the French Quarter,” Cecil Wilkinson stated in a Facebook post.

Terrence Kennedy

Terrence Kennedy, 63, was born and raised in New Orleans. He was described by his sister, Jacqueline, as someone who was “very loving” and “would do anything for anyone.”

According to a GoFundMe page created by his sister, Kennedy was the seventh of nine siblings in his family. She said her brother loved all kinds of sports and his favorite football team was The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kareem Badawi

Kareem Badawi, 23, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a freshman at the University of Alabama. His father, Belal Badawi, stated in a Facebook post that his son was killed in the “tragic accident” in New Orleans.

“We ask Allah Almighty to shower his mercy on him, and give us patience and strength to overcome this noble patient,” his father wrote.

The president of the University of Alabama, Stuart Bell, issued a statement expressing his grief over Badawi’s death, noting that university staff have been “actively engaged in supportive outreach.”

“I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” Bell stated. “Please take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy.”

William ‘Billy’ DiMaio

William DiMaio, a 25-year-old of Holmdel, New Jersey, was described by his family as a gentle-hearted person. He graduated from the Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 2022 and worked for Audacy Inc., a media company.

His family told NOLA.com that DiMaio was in New Orleans to celebrate New Year’s Eve and planned to go the Sugar Bowl with his friends when he was killed in the attack.

“He was a good, humble kid,” his father, Bill DiMaio, told the news outlet. “He loved life.”

In a statement, Chestnut Hill College said it was devastated by DiMaio’s death, whom it described as “a star student” and captain of the 2022 championship lacrosse team.

“Our prayers are with the entire DiMaio family at this tragic hour, as our entire college reflects upon the positive impact he had upon so many in our close community,” it stated.

Hurbert Gauthreaux

Hurbert Gauthreaux, 21, of Gretna, Louisiana, graduated from the Archbishop Shaw High School and was a member of the Class 2021.

The school stated that Gauthreaux was “tragically killed in the senseless act of violence” and announced the creation of a GoFundMe page on behalf of his family to help cover his memorial expenses.

“We are asking the entire Westbank community, the city of New Orleans, and our nation to pray for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family and friends during this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy,” it stated.

Andrew ‘Drew’ Dauphin

Andrew Dauphin, 26, of Montgomery, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University in 2023. The university’s president, Christopher Roberts, stated that Dauphin was killed in “the New Orleans terror attack.”

“Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” Roberts said in a statement.

The university’s RFID Lab, where Dauphin worked, described him as an “excellent co-worker” who always brought a positive attitude to the lab.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Drew Dauphin,” it stated on Facebook. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his friends and family. He will be greatly missed.”

Matthew Tenedorio

Matthew Tenedorio, 25, of Picayune, Mississippi, was remembered by his family as “a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose laid-back spirit and infectious laughter brought joy to everyone around him.”

His family stated in a GoFundMe page that Tenedorio was “tragically shot and killed” in the New Orleans attack.

“Matthew was always the one to lighten the mood, able to laugh off life’s challenges and spread positivity wherever he went,” the page stated.

Tenedorio graduated from Pearl River Central High School and worked as an audiovisual technician for the Superdome, according to the fundraising page.

Reggie Hunter

Reggie Hunter, 37, of Prairieville, Louisiana, was a father of two children. He was remembered by his family as “a great big brother, uncle, friend, and father,” according to a GoFundMe page.

His family stated that Hunter died from internal injuries after “being hit by the vehicle and getting trampled” in the attack.

“As we come to terms with Reggie’s passing, we are faced with the difficult task of arranging his final farewell,” it stated. “We are reaching out to our community for support in honoring Reggie’s memory.”

Tiger Bech

Tiger Bech, 27, of New York City, was a former football player at Princeton University and graduated in 2021. He was a 2015 graduate of the St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette.

In a statement, the school described Bech as a “standout” student excelling in football, lacrosse, and track and field.

“The St. Thomas More Catholic High School community mourns the loss of one of our own, Tiger Bech, who passed away early this morning as a result of the New Year attack in New Orleans,” it stated.

His brother, Jack Bech, posted a tribute on X: “Love you always brother ! 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.”

Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez, 27, of Metairie, Louisiana, was a single mother to a 5-year-old son. Her employer, Kimberly Usher, told the Associated Press that Perez was recently promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metairie.

In a GoFundMe page created on behalf of her family, Usher described Perez as someone who was “so beautiful and full of life.”

“Her 5yr old son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee,” she stated.

Brandon Taylor

Another victim died in the attack was Brandon Taylor, a 43-year-old resident of Harvey, Louisiana, according to the coroner.

The identities of the two remaining victims killed in the attack have not been disclosed.

One of them is a British citizen, whose name is being kept private at the family’s request. The coroner stated that authorities are still in the process of identifying the 14th victim, who is a female.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.