In the wake of the devastating attack on Bourbon Street, where 14 people were killed and many others injured, families are struggling to come to terms with the senseless loss of their loved ones. It was just before midnight on New Year's Eve when tragedy struck. Jack Bech, 22, recounts his last conversation with his older brother, Martin, known as “Tiger,” who was celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. Jack describes a lively phone call with his brother, unaware it would be their last exchange. Tragically, Tiger was among those killed by 42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who drove a pickup truck into a crowd before being shot dead in a gunfight with police.
Families Grieve and Seek Answers Following New Year's Eve Tragedy in New Orleans
Families Grieve and Seek Answers Following New Year's Eve Tragedy in New Orleans
As New Orleans mourns the loss of 14 lives in a horrifying New Year's Eve attack, the families of the victims are demanding answers and justice while reflecting on their memories.
Though Jabbar had previously made online statements linking himself to the Islamic State, the FBI has determined he acted alone. The list of victims includes young individuals, many hailing from Louisiana, prompting unimaginable grief for their families. Jack highlights the lifelong impact of his brother’s death on their family dynamic, emphasizing that every day they will feel the absence and heartache.
Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician, is another victim whose family is grappling with the shock and confusion surrounding his death. Despite his family's concerns and pleas for him not to go to New Orleans, Matthew attended the celebrations with friends. Following the incident, his family faced immense difficulty in obtaining details regarding his fate.
Cousin Christina Bounds expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities following the attack. With grief compounded by unanswered questions, the Tenedorio family has set up a GoFundMe to cover Matthew's funeral expenses due to prior financial burdens from his mother’s cancer treatment.
As families unite in sorrow, they emphasize their loved ones’ spirits and the impact they made while alive. Many, like Matthew’s cousin, remember him as a joyful person who touched others with his humor and kindness. The families hope to keep the focus on the victims rather than the circumstances surrounding the attack and call for the community to remember each life lost and advocate for justice.
The echoes of that fateful night linger, and the need for clarity and healing remains urgent as New Orleans navigates its collective grief.
Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician, is another victim whose family is grappling with the shock and confusion surrounding his death. Despite his family's concerns and pleas for him not to go to New Orleans, Matthew attended the celebrations with friends. Following the incident, his family faced immense difficulty in obtaining details regarding his fate.
Cousin Christina Bounds expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities following the attack. With grief compounded by unanswered questions, the Tenedorio family has set up a GoFundMe to cover Matthew's funeral expenses due to prior financial burdens from his mother’s cancer treatment.
As families unite in sorrow, they emphasize their loved ones’ spirits and the impact they made while alive. Many, like Matthew’s cousin, remember him as a joyful person who touched others with his humor and kindness. The families hope to keep the focus on the victims rather than the circumstances surrounding the attack and call for the community to remember each life lost and advocate for justice.
The echoes of that fateful night linger, and the need for clarity and healing remains urgent as New Orleans navigates its collective grief.
