At least 15 people were killed during a deadly attack on New Year’s Day after a driver slammed into a crowd celebrating New Year’s on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in what is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack.
Dozens were also injured – at least 35 people – many in critical condition and dozens of people were transported to area hospitals with injuries.
“As of now, 15 people are deceased. It will take several days to perform all autopsies. Once we complete the autopsies and talk with the next of kin, we will release the identifications of the victims,” New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement on Wednesday.
Even though authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, families, friends, schools and workplaces have shared memories and details about lives lost during the tragic events that unfolded in the French Quarter.
Here’s what we know about the victims so far:
Tiger Bech, former All-Ivy Princeton football player “on top of the world”
Tiger Bech, 28, a former All-Ivy Princeton football player died during the Bourbon Street attack, his mother Michelle confirmed to CBS News.
An All-Ivy when he played football at Princeton on a scholarship, Bech was an “amazing kid” and he “went out on top of the world,” his mother said.
Bech worked as a junior bonds trader in cybersecurity at Seaport Global. He loved to fish and hunt, his mother said.
Michelle Bech
St. Thomas More Catholic High School confirmed Bech was a 2015 graduate.
“Tiger was a 2015 graduate and standout in football, lacrosse, and track and field,” the school said.
His parents Michelle and Martin survive him, as well as his three siblings. His brother Jack posted on social media, “Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment.”
Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, an aspiring nurse
Aspiring nurse Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux died on Bourbon Street her mother Melissa Dedeaux said in a social media post and confirmed to CBS News.
“I lost my baby just pray for me and my family pleaseeeeee!!,” her mother wrote. Dedeaux was scheduled to begin a nursing program at Blue Cliff College on Jan. 13, her mother, who is also a nurse, told Nola.com.
Melissa Dedeaux
She told local media that her daughter was a popular person who was always surrounded by friends.
Reggie Hunter, a loving dad “full of life”
Reggie Hunter, 37, a store manager and loving dad, who lived in Baton Rouge was killed in the deadly attack, one of his cousins confirmed to CBS News.
His cousin Shirell Robinson Jackson said Hunter had two sons Landon, 11, and Christian, 19 months, and he was always laughing and joking. She described Hunter as “full of life.”
Shirell Robinson Jackson
“He loved his kids, his sisters and his daddy, all of us. He didn’t deserve this,” Jackson said.
His cousin said Hunter texted his family at 12:07 a.m. to wish them a Happy New Year. He was celebrating on Bourbon Street with their other cousin, Kevin Ball, who was injured and is still in the hospital.
contributed to this report.
