New Orleans truck attack: What we know about the victims
Fourteen people were killed after a driver slammed through New Orleans’ famed French Quarter early on New Year’s Day.
More than 30 people were injured following the tragedy, which the FBI says was an act of terrorism.
What happened?
Police said the driver sped through a crowd along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as revelers gathered to celebrate the New Year. At least 15 people were killed and 33 were injured and taken to five local hospitals.
Two police officers wounded in the shootout with the suspect were in stable condition.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies work the scene on Bourbon Street after at least ten people were killed when a person allegedly drove into the crowd in the early morning hours of New Year's Day on Jan. 1, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Who were the victims?
Officials have not yet released the names of the victims, but their families and friends are talking about them. New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement late Wednesday that they will release the names of the dead once autopsies are complete, and they’ve talked with the next of kin.
Elliot Wilkinson
Cecil Wilkinson said in a message to his little brother, Elliot Wilkinson, on Facebook that he was loved "and you 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," Wilkinson said in the post.
Terrence "Terry" Kennedy
After years working in the service industry and maintenance, New Orleans native Terrence Kennedy spent his retirement doing what he loved: strolling down to catch the ever-present party in the French Quarter.
Kennedy had told his sister on New Year’s Eve that he was going out. When he didn’t answer the phone the next morning, the family spent a frantic day searching until the coroner confirmed he died in the New Year’s Day attack.
The family still doesn’t know if he died from the car’s impact or gunshot wounds; all they were told is that he was still alive when he got to the hospital.
Billy DiMaio
Billy DiMaio, 25, was humble and gentled-hearted, so devoted to family that he had a tattoo featuring all of his cousins’ names, his parents told NOLA.com.
A New York City-based account executive for the media company Audacy, DiMaio was in New Orleans to celebrate New Year’s Eve and see friends who planned to go to the Sugar Bowl, Tracie and Bill DiMaio, of Holmdel, New Jersey, told the news site. His friends escaped injury.
Hubert Gauthreaux
Archbishop Shaw High School, in Marrero, Louisiana, posted on Facebook that class of 2021 alum Hubert Gauthreaux, was among the victims.
Gauthreaux "was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter. He was 21 years old," the Catholic boys school posted Wednesday evening. "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."
Kareem Badawi
University of Alabama freshman Kareem Badawi was among those killed in the attack. A native of Louisiana and a graduate of the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Badawi had started at the Alabama university this fall.
His father had posted in May celebrating his son’s high school graduation and plans to attend the University of Alabama.
The university issued a statement confirming Badawi’s death.
"I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss," University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell said.
Drew Dauphin
Christopher B. Roberts, president of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, said on the social platform X that 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin died in the attack.
"Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time," Roberts said. "Our thoughts are with the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy."
Dauphin was a supplier process engineer at the American Honda Motor Company in Birmingham, Alabama, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Matthew Tenedorio
The parents of Matthew Tenedorio told NBC News that their son was one of the people killed in the attack.
"He was 25 years old. He was just starting life. He had the job of his dreams," Cathy Tenedorio said. "It’s just very sad."
A GoFundMe page created by a cousin says he was an audiovisual technician at the Superdome.
Nikyra Dedeaux
Eighteen-year-old Nikyra Dedeaux was a responsible daughter who helped take care of her siblings, Zion Parsons of Gulfport, Mississippi, said of his friend. Parsons was with Dedeaux on New Year's Eve when a vehicle appeared and plowed into her.
"She had her mindset — she didn’t have everything figured out but she had the plan laid down," Parsons said.
Reggie Hunter
A 37-year-old father of two from Baton Rouge was among the 14 people killed. Reggie Hunter had just left work and was headed with a cousin to celebrate New Year’s when the attack happened, his first cousin Shirell Jackson told Nola.com.
Hunter was killed, and his cousin was injured, Jackson said.
Tiger Bech
Another victim from Lafayette, Louisiana, was identified as Tiger Bech, a former student-athlete who attended Princeton and graduated in 2021. The victim's brother, Jack, posted a message on X, saying in part:
"You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry."
Nicole Perez
Nicole Perez was a single mother to a 4-year-old son working hard to make life better for her family when she was killed in the New Orleans truck attack, according to her employer.
Perez, who was in her late 20s, was recently promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metarie, Louisiana and "was really excited about it," deli owner Kimberly Usher said in a phone interview with AP. Usher confirmed Perez’s death through her sister, who also works for her.
"She was a really good mom," said Usher, who started a GoFundMe account to cover Perez’s burial costs and to help with expenses for her son that "he will need to transition into a new living situation," the donation request says.
Injured
University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said on X that a student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment. He did not name the student.
Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson, two former students from Canterbury School in Fort Myers, were identified as victims who were injured in Wednesday's tragic attack.
"The Eisele and Idelson families are deeply grateful for the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and offers of support for our daughters following the tragic attack in New Orleans. We are especially thankful for the exceptional care and compassion they are receiving at University Medical Center. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the first responders, whose swift actions may have saved our daughters’ lives. To everyone who has reached out with love and support, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts," according to a statement given to FOX 5 Atlanta by a school spokesperson.
It was also confirmed that Eisele is a student at San Diego State University.
Jeremy Sensky, 51, underwent 10 hours of surgery for the injuries he sustained in the attack, according to his daughter, Heaven Sensky-Kirsch. He was taken off a ventilator on Thursday.
Ryan Quigley, who was a teammate of Bech's at Princeton, was with him when they were struck by the truck. Quigley was injured but was doing "okay."
"Ryan is doing okay. He is stable and resting in the company of his family and friends," the Quigleys said in an update on a GoFundMe page set up by his friends. "Ryan loves you all. Please keep the Bech family, the other families, and all of those affected by this tragedy in your prayers. Thank you all."
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X that two Israeli citizens were injured in the attack.
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said Thursday that one of the university’s students was critically injured in New Orleans. Boyce did not identify the student.
How to help
GoFundMe has launched a website for those who wish to donate to the victims of the attack and their families.
A landing page was created to help donors find verified fundraisers, here.
Who was the suspect?
The FBI said the driver was 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas.
A flag representing the Islamic State group was found in the truck and the FBI is trying to determine if he was associated with any terrorist organizations, the agency said in a statement.
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was "hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did" and he tried "to run over as many people as he could."