NEW ORLEANS, La. — At least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured in what the FBI is investigating as a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, 42, has been identified as the suspect who drove a car into a crowd of people along Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Jabbar was shot and killed by officers after opening fire on them during the attack. Two New Orleans police officers were injured.
The University of Georgia confirmed that one of their students was critically injured in the attack. CNN is identifying that student as Elle Eisele, from the Fort Myers area.
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Nine of the 14 victims who lost their lives in the attack have been identified.
Kareem Badawi
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge and the University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell identified Badawi as one of the victims. He graduated from the Baton Rouge school last year and was currently attending the University of Alabama.
“I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” Bell wrote.
A fellow graduate of the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Parker Vidrine, was critically injured and is hospitalized, the school said. It’s unclear if Vidrine and Badawi were on Bourbon Street together.
Tiger Bech, 27
A former Princeton University football player, Tiger Bech’s mother, Michelle Bech, told ABC News that her son moved to New York City after graduation to work for Seaport Global, a capital markets firm. She said her son was “on top of the world.”
Michelle Bech said her son was in Louisiana for a weekend of hunting and fishing with friends from college. He was scheduled to return to New York City on Wednesday.
Drew Dauphin, 26
Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts identified Drew Dauphin as one of the victims. Dauphin graduated from Auburn University in 2023.
“Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. Our thoughts are with the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy,” Roberts wrote on social media.
Alabama Christian Academy in Montgomery confirmed that Dauphin graduated in 2016.
“Drew is remembered as a friend, leader, and key part of ACA’s baseball and football programs. Our hearts are heavy as we share in the grief of this loss with the Dauphin family and Drew’s many friends and classmates,” the school wrote in a statement.
The Dauphin family released a statement saying they will remember his infectious smile and how he “lit up every room.”
It’s unbelievable. Who should have to come up with words for this? Our family is suffering more than anyone can imagine. Drew lit up every room he entered. His smile was infectious. He had the best personality. We are such a tight family, dependent on each other, friends, family and neighbors. We cherish the 26 years that we had with him and raising him will always be one of the greatest joys of our lives. Our family is numb and in shock through this horrific and senseless tragedy. Drew was happiest at Lake Martin with his little brother, Matthew. A close friend said it best, “Drew will always now be in the sun at the lake that he loved so much.” We did not get to spend enough time with him and can’t believe we will never see him again this side of heaven.
— The Dauphin family
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18
Dedeaux’s mother confirmed to ABC News that she died after going to Bourbon Street to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Her mother says she was excited to attend nursing school later this year. She even says she begged her daughter not to go to Bourbon Street like she had in previous years.
Billy DiMaio, 25
Audacy confirmed DiMaio, one of their employees, was killed in the deadly terror attack. DiMaio was an account executive based in New York.
A company spokesperson highlighted his “unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness.”
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Billy DiMaio, a New York-based Account Executive, in the terrorist attack in New Orleans. Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness. He was a true asset to the Audacy team, and his contributions and presence will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family and friends during this exceedingly difficult time, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them and every member of the Audacy family who had the privilege of working with him.”
— Audacy spokesperson
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21
Gauthreaux was identified as one of the victims in the attack by the Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana, where he graduated in 2021.
“It is with great sorrow that we share that alum Hubert Gauthreaux, Class of 2021, was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter,” a statement from the school said. “He was 21 years old.”
Reggie Hunter, 37
A father of two described as “the life of the party,” Hunter’s cousin confirmed his death to ABC News.
“This is hurting all of us differently and on so many levels,” Shirell Jackson said. “We were expecting so much life to live with our cousin … Just a beautiful person that did not deserve this and had so much life to live.”
She says Hunter leaves behind two sons.
Terrence Kennedy, 63
Kennedy’s sister, LaTonya Kennedy, confirmed to ABC News that her brother was among those killed in the attack.
She said he loved spending time in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
“He loved the French Quarter, and the only thing he would do, he’d get one can of beer and go stand up and talk to everybody,” she told ABC News. “He might stand right there on Bourbon and Carondelet Street and talk for five hours.”
She hopes he is remembered as someone who could walk into a room and befriend anyone.
Nicole Perez, 27
A mother who leaves behind a 4-year-old son, according to Kimberly Usher-Fall, her employer and family spokesperson.
She told ABC News that Perez had recently been promoted to store manager and was excited about the position. Usher-Fall said Perez would bring her son to work and was helping him learn to read.
“She was a great mother,” Usher-Fall told ABC News’ Diane Macedo. “She just was a really exciting little young lady and she was getting herself together.”
Perez was taken to University Hospital after being hit by the truck, but ultimately died from her injuries.
Matthew Tenedorio, 25
Tenedorio’s parents, Louis and Cathy Tenedorio, confirmed his death to ABC News.
He worked as a fiber optics and video professional at the Superdome and Smoothie King Center. His parents said they last saw him at dinner on New Year’s Eve before he left for a night with friends on Bourbon Street.
Cathy Tenedorio said she and her husband were hesitant about him staying out late.
“But all I did was just hug him and tell him, ‘I love you. Happy New Year. Please text me when you get home.’ And that text never came,” Cathy Tenedorio said.
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Injured Victims
Several of the dozens of victims who were injured have also been identified.
Elle Eisele
Eisele, a student at the University of Georgia, was injured in the attack, her family confirmed in a statement. She and fellow victim Steele Idelson graduated from the Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida in 2023.
“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,” Canterbury said in a statement on behalf of the Eisele and Idelson families with CNN.
Steele Idelson
Idelson, a student at San Diego State University, was injured in the attack, according to a family statement. She and fellow victim Elle Eisele graduated from the Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida in 2023.
“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,” Canterbury said in a statement on behalf of the Eisele and Idelson families with CNN.
Jeremi Sensky, 51
Sensky’s daughter identified him to ABC News as a disabled man who “loves to live his life to the fullest despite his disabilities.” She says he was thrown from his wheelchair during the attack and narrowly avoided the gunfire as he laid on the ground.
Ryan Quigley
Quigley is friends with Bech, who was one of at least 15 people killed in the deadly attack. The two men were together on the night of the attack.
Parker Vidrine
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge confirmed Vidrine’s injury in a statement. It’s unclear if he was on Bourbon Street with fellow victim Kareem Badawi, who was killed.
Vidrine was critically injured and is hospitalized, according to the school.
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