Two recent high school graduates, a Princeton football star, a young mother and a father of two were among the victims killed in New Orleans when a terrorist rammed his truck into a crowd on the city’s iconic Bourbon Street during a New Year’s celebration. 

The suspect – identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabber – was killed in a gunfight that left two police officers wounded. 

The ISIS flag-flying terrorist killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others, including a student from the University of Georgia, two Israeli citizens and a little girl who had been dancing just moments before she was mowed down.

Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, had recently graduated high school and had snuck away to ring in the New Year on Bourbon Street with her cousin and their friend Zion Parsons, also 18. 

“I didn’t even know she came over here,” her anguished mother Melissa told NOLA.com.

Dedeaux suffered fatal injuries after running out in the street into the path of the vehicle in a panic once gunshots rang out. 

“I just want to see my baby,” her mother, 40, said as she wept. 

Dedeaux was pursuing a nursing program at Blue Cliff College in nearby Metairie, and was described as “a little ball of sunshine.”

Police have not confirmed Dedeaux’s death, but Melissa says she knows she is gone because her niece said they laid a blanket over her. 

Tiger Bech, a 28-year-old Lafayette, Louisiana, native who previously played as a wide receiver for Princeton University, was celebrating the holidays in New Orleans when he was hit by the terror suspect’s truck. 

Bech was an all-star football player at his high school, St. Thomas More Catholic School in Lafayette, where he played wide receiver, quarterback, punt returner and defensive back.

He earned all-state honors while at STM and was a member of the All-Acadiana Regional and All-District First Team as a senior before earning a scholarship to play football at the Ivy League school. 

“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 York attack in New Orleans,” the school said in a statement, NBC reported. 

Live updates: Everything to know about the New Orleans terror attack

Bech graduated from Princeton in 2021 with a degree in finance and worked as a trader at a New York brokerage firm, NOLA.com reported.

Bech was taken to New Orleans hospital with catastrophic internal bleeding from the attack before dying Wednesday morning, Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic School told NOLA.com.

Bech, who is the older brother of Jack Bech, a standout wide receiver for Texas Christian University, was kept on life support until his family could arrive, the outlet reported. 

“Love you always brother,” Jack Bech wrote on X. “You inspired me everyday and now you get to be with me in every moment. This is for us.”

Reggie Hunter, 37, a father of two from Baton Rouge, had gotten off work and traveled to Bourbon Street on a whim with his cousin on Tuesday to ring in the New Year and watch the Sugar Bowl, family members told NOLA.com.

Hunter died from his injuries after he was struck by the high-speed truck, a family member told the outlet. His cousin, who was also hit, is hospitalized with extensive internal injuries. 

“You are praying for a prosperous Year in 2025,” Hunter’s first cousin Shirell Jackson said. “And never do you think this is the new you are going to get.”

Hunter, a warehouse manager, is remembered for his love of his two sons — 12 years old and 18 months old.

Nicole Perez, 27, was celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends when she was mowed down by the suspect’s truck. She was taken to University Hospital where she died, ABC News reported. 

The young mom leaves behind her 4-year-old son, Melo. 

“She was a great mother,” Kimberly Usher-Fall, Perez’s employer, told the outlet, explaining how Perez was helping her son learn how to read. 

Perez worked at a deli in Metairie and had just been promoted to manager, a position she was proud of, the outlet reported. 

Usher-Fall confirmed Perez’s death Wednesday morning on a GoFundMe page, describing her as “beautiful” and “full of life.”

“Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee,” Usher-Fall wrote. 

“I’m hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation.”

Kareem Badawi, a recent graduate of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, La., died from neck injuries sustained in the terror attack, the private school confirmed Wednesday, according to local outlets. 

A second alumnus, Parker Vidrine, is hospitalized with critical injuries, the school added.

School officials said the news has “tragically impacted” the community. 

“Earlier today, we learned of a horrific attack in New Orleans that has tragically impacted our school community. Because of the sensitive nature and out of respect for the families, there is only so much that is appropriate to share at this time,” officials said in a statement to families.

“We are deeply saddened to share that alumnus Parker Vidrine ‘24 was critically injured and is hospitalized, and alumnus Kareem Badawi ‘24 tragically passed away as a result of the attack.”

Family members and the Archbishop of Shaw High School in Marrero, La., confirmed 21-year-old Hubert Gauthreaux died in the terror attack. 

“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,” the school posted to Facebook. 

“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.”

His family shared on social media that Gauthreaux was found at United Medical Center in New Orleans after initially posting that he was missing. 

Matthew Tenedorio, an audiovisual technician at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, was also confirmed dead, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his family.

The New Orleans Saints on Thursday said Tenedorio was a “valued member” of their video production team. “Matthew was young, talented, and had a bright future, helping deliver quality content for both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans,” the team said in a post on X.

The 25-year-old, who graduated from Pearl River Central High School in Mississippi, was described as someone who played a “crucial role” in creating memorable experiences for countless fans and event-goers. 

Tenedorio’s family said his loss has left them “shattered.”

“Matthew was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose laid-back spirit and infectious laughter brought joy to everyone around him,” the fundraising page said. 

“A proud graduate of Pearl River Central High School, he made lasting memories and friendships during his time there. Matthew was always the one to lighten the mood, able to laugh off life’s challenges and spread positivity wherever he went. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of his family and friends.”

The University of Georgia was scheduled to take on Notre Dame Wednesday night in the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. The game has since been postponed to Thursday.

Drew Dauphin’s family said they are “numb” following his death.

“It’s unbelievable. Who should have to come up with words for this? … Drew lit up every room he entered. His smile was infectious,” the said in a statement, according to NBC News. “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 family said the 26-year-old was most happy while at Lake Martin in Alabama with his little brother.

“A close friend said it best, ‘Drew will always now be in the sun at the lake that he loved so much,'” the family statement said.

Dauphin graduated from Auburn University in Alabama in 2023, said a statement from the school on Facebook.

“On behalf of Auburn University, I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin who was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack,” the statement said.

“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.”

Dauphin worked as a process manager for Honda and resided in Birmingham, Ala., Nola.com reported.