New Orleans attack: Teenage girl and graduate of Princeton University among victims
A teenage girl who aspired to be a nurse and a graduate of Princeton University are among the first victims of the attack in New Orleans to be named.
Officials have not yet released the names of the 14 people killed after a man drove a pick-up truck into crowds on New Year’s Day, but some of their loved ones have started sharing their stories.
The suspect has been identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabba, who was born and raised in the US.
The bureau is treating the attack as terrorism after an Islamic State (IS) flag was found on the back of the vehicle Jabba was driving. He was later killed in a shoot-out with police.
Here are the victims who have been named so far by their loved ones.
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux. Pic: NOLA, city of New Orleans
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, died after being struck by the vehicle while celebrating the start of 2025 with her friend Zion Parsons.
Mr Parsons, also 18, has said Ms Dedeaux dreamed of becoming a nurse.
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He said: “A truck hit the corner and comes barrelling through throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air.
“It hit her and flung her like at least 30 feet and I was just lucky to be alive.”
Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech
Tiger Bech. Pic: Family
Tiger Bech, a 27-year-old Princeton University graduate, lived in New York City, where he was a junior bond trader for a Wall Street company.
His brother, Jack Bech, told Sky’s US correspondent James Matthews: “The last thing we ever said to each other, he told me he loved me.
“I told him I love him, he told me he loved me even more, hung up the phone – and that was the last words I ever spoke to him.”
Tiger Bech (left) and Jack Bech (right). Pic: Jack Bech
Mr Bech said his brother was his best friend and role model.
“He was loved by so many people. He always made time for the little guy. He was special,” he said.
His family managed to see him while he was unconscious in hospital but still alive, time that Mr Bech said was precious to them.
“He couldn’t respond to any of us, but I truly believe he could hear us, his eyes were closed.”
Head coach of the Princeton Tigers, the team Tiger Bech played for, described him as a “tiger in every way”.
“There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached,” Bob Surace said.
“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend. Our last conversation was about how proud I was of the growth he showed during his time at Princeton and the success he was having after graduation.”
Analysis: IS flag stark reminder extremist ideology never went away
Matthew Tenedorio
Matthew Tenedorio
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, was shot dead by the attacker after he got out of the vehicle and opened fire after ploughing into crowds, his mother said.
Cathy Tenedorio, from Carriere in Mississippi, said she had dinner with her son on New Year’s Eve.
She told Sky News: “Matthew and his friends all decided to go into The Quarter. We tried to talk him out of it.
“They were walking down Bourbon Street at around 3.15am when everything happened right in front of them.
“The truck crashed into a construction lift. The man jumped out and started firing the gun.
“My son was killed instantly… I just hugged and kissed him last night. Told him I loved him. He had so much hope, a great future working at the Super Dome stadium in New Orleans. He had the job of his dreams.”
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Moment police react to news of attack
The New Orleans Saints confirmed Mr Tenedorio was a video producer who helped make content for both the NFL team and the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team.
“We remain heartbroken by the tragic events that claimed innocent lives in our city yesterday,” the Saints wrote on their official X page.
“Among those lost was Matthew Tenedorio, a valued member of the ASM New Orleans video production team.
“Matthew was young, talented and had a bright future.
“Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with the Tenedrio family and everyone affected by this senseless act of terrorism.”
Nicole Perez
Nicole Perez
Single mother Nicole Perez was also among those killed in the attack.
Ms Perez, who was in her late 20s, had a four-year-old son.
She had recently been promoted to manager in her job and was “really excited about it”, her employer Kimberly Usher has said.
Ms Perez would bring her son, Melo, to work and teach him basic learning skills during her breaks.
“She was a really good mum,” said Ms Usher, who started a GoFundMe account to cover Ms Perez’s burial costs.
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Reggie Hunter
Reggie Hunter
Another victim that has been named is father-of-two Reggie Hunter from Baton Rouge in Louisiana.
His cousin, Shirell Jackson, told NBC News the 37-year-old warehouse manager was an “awesome person” and “a little-bitty guy” with a “big heart.”
He had been with another cousin who survived the attack, she said.
Hubert Gauthreaux
Hubert Gauthreaux. Pic: NOLA, city of New Orleans
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, was identified as being among those killed in the attack by his former high school.
In a statement, the Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana, said: “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.
“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
Kareem Badawi. Pic: Facebook/Belal Badawi
University of Alabama student Kareem Badawi was also one of the victims.
President of the university, Stuart R Bell said in a statement posted on Facebook that he grieves alongside Ms Badawi’s family and friends in their “heartbreaking loss”.
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What we know about the New Orleans attack
“Our staff have been actively engaged in supportive outreach and the office of student care and wellbeing is available,” he said.
“Please take a moment to pray for those impacted by this tragedy.”
Drew Dauphin
Drew Dauphin. Pic:@AuburnU/ X
Posting on its X account, Alabama’s Auburn University said 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin “was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack”.
“Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” said university president Christopher B Roberts.
Billy DiMaio
Billy DiMaio
Long Island native Billy DiMaio, 25, was in Louisiana to celebrate new year with his friends when the terror attack happened.
His parents, Bill and Tracie DiMaio, told The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate newspaper that their son was a “good, humble kid” who “loved life”.
He worked for US broadcasting company Audacy Inc, which said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” about his death, the newspaper reported.
“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,” the company said.
The oldest of three children, Mr DiMaio was close with his brother and sister and considered his father his best friend. He also had a tattoo featuring all of his cousins’ names, the newspaper reported.
He graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 2022, where he captained the championship lacrosse team.
The college said in a statement it is reflecting on the “positive impact he had upon so many in our close community”.
Terrence Kennedy
Terrence Kennedy
The family of Terrence Kennedy confirmed he was one of the victims of the New Orleans attack to NBC.
The 63-year-old was born and raised in the city and is remembered for his kindness and his big heart, his family told NBC affiliate WDSU.
His sister Jacqueline Kennedy said in a tearful video on Facebook that while she had asked for prayers after her brother who was on Bourbon Street and was missing, she had to confirm he was dead.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you all that he didn’t make it,” she said. The post was titled: “My brother Terry Is Gone.”
Donald Trump has said he would try to return territory to Ukraine as he prepares to meet Vladimir Putin and lay the groundwork for a deal to bring an end to the war.
“Russia has occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They’ve occupied some very prime territory. We’re going to try and get some of that territory back for Ukraine,” the US president said at a White House news conference ahead of Friday’s summit in Alaska.
Mr Trump also said: “There’ll be some land swapping going on. I know that through Russia and through conversations with everybody, to the good of Ukraine.”
He said he’s going to see what Mr Putin “has in mind” to end the three-and-a-half-year full-scale invasion.
Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House. Pic: Reuters
And he said if it’s a “fair deal,” he will share it with European and NATO leaders, as well as Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who have been liaising closely with Washington ahead of the meeting.
Asked if Mr Zelenskyy was invited to the summit with Mr Putin in Alaska, Mr Trump said the Ukrainian leader “wasn’t a part of it”.
“I would say he could go, but he’s gone to a lot of meetings. You know, he’s been there for three and a half years – nothing happened,” Mr Trump added.
The US president said Mr Putin wants to get the war “over with” and “get involved” in possible talks but acknowledged Moscow’s attacks haven’t stopped.
“I’ve said that a few times and I’ve been disappointed because I’d have a great call with him and then missiles would be lobbed into Kyiv or some other place,” he said.
Mr Trump said he will tell Mr Putin “you’ve got to end this war, you’ve got to end it,” but that “it’s not up to me” to make a deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin is set to meet Donald Trump in Alaska. Pic: Reuters
Zelenskyy says Russia ‘wants to buy time’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia “wants to buy time, not end the war”.
“It is obvious that the Russians simply want to buy time, not end the war,” he wrote in a post on X, after a phone call with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pic: Reuters
“The situation on the battlefield and Russia’s wicked strikes on civilian infrastructure and ordinary people prove this clearly.”
Mr Zelenskyy said the two “agreed that no decisions concerning Ukraine’s future and the security of our people can be made without Ukraine’s participation”, just as “there can be no decisions without clear security guarantees”.
Sanctions against Russia must remain in force and be “constantly strengthened,” he added.
European leaders meet ahead of call with Trump
Meanwhile, European officials have been holding meetings ahead of a phone call with Mr Trump on Wednesday.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has been speaking to foreign ministers virtually, saying on X that work “on more sanctions against Russia, more military support for Ukraine and more support for Ukraine’s budgetary needs and accession process to join the EU” is under way.
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‘Russians want to carry on fighting’
Over the weekend, European leaders released a joint statement, welcoming Mr Trump’s “work to stop the killing in Ukraine”.
“We are convinced that only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war can succeed,” read the statement.
It was signed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” they said.
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Attacks continue
Despite Donald Trump’s efforts to convince Vladimir Putin to commit to a ceasefire and negotiations, Russian attacks on Ukraine have only intensified in the past few months.
Ukraine’s president has said that, in the past week, Russia launched more than 1,000 air bombs, nearly 1,400 drones and multiple missile strikes on Ukraine.
On 9 July, Russia carried out its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, launching more than 740 drones and missiles, breaking its records from previous weeks.
Furthermore, Mr Zelenskyy has said Russia is preparing for new offensives.
And then there were two.
It will be a Trump-Putin bilateral summit in Alaska.
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The US president has ruled out a trilateral meeting including Volodymyr Zelenskyy and is framing the talks as low stakes.
He described it as a “feel out” meeting “to see what the parameters” are, and stressed “it’s not up to me to make a deal.”
A strategic preemption perhaps, setting expectations low, and preparing the public for failure.
But he remains wedded to the notion that “land swapping” will shape any deal to end the war in Ukraine.
“Good stuff” and “bad stuff” for both sides, he said, positioning himself as the pragmatic mediator between the two.
He expressed irritation with Mr Zelenskyy’s assertion that he doesn’t have the constitutional power to concede land, though did say he hopes to get “prime territory” back for Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be attending the summit. Pic: AP
The dealmaker-in-chief
Mr Trump promised to brief the Ukrainian president and European leaders immediately after his meeting with Mr Putin.
And he voiced confidence in his ability to quickly assess the potential for a deal, boasting his business acumen.
“At the end of the meeting, probably the first two minutes, I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made,” he said.
Asked how he would know, he replied: “That’s what I do, make deals.”
Members of his cabinet nodded in approval.
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A law-and-order crackdown in the US capital seems timed to bolster his diplomatic stance.
He branded crime in Washington “a national emergency”, took federal control of police and deployed the National Guard.
It may seem strange that Mr Trump is talking about “taking back” Washington, ahead of a rare summit with Mr Putin.
But he’s positioning himself as bold and uncompromising before he faces a man deemed bold and uncompromising.
A telling gaffe
And he conflated the two, saying: “This is a tragic emergency, and I’m going to see Putin, I’m going to Russia on Friday.”
He isn’t going to Russia. He’s going to Alaska. But that gaffe revealed how central Mr Putin is to his narrative, even domestically.
Vladimir Putin has been reluctant to meet his Ukrainian counterpart. Pic: Sputnik/Reuters
Mr Putin wants to lock in the gains Russia has made since invading Ukraine, while Mr Trump presses for a ceasefire.
But it’s hard to envisage any ice-breaking peace deal emerging from Friday’s summit in Alaska.
How could there be when Mr Zelenskyy is out in the cold?
For now, this is a Trump-Putin power play.
Donald Trump has announced he is going to deploy National Guard troops to Washington DC to make the US capital’s streets safer.
At a White House news conference on Monday, the president said the city’s police would come under federal control as he said the murder rate in DC was “higher than” in some of the “worst places on earth”.
He said he was sending in the troops to “re-establish law, order, and public safety”.
Members of the National Guard outside the US Capitol. File Pic: AP
Mr Trump said he was announcing a “historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse.
“This is liberation day in DC and we are going to take our capital back.”
The president continued: “So today we are declaring a public safety emergency in the district of Columbia.”
He added it is not just about safety but also the “beautification” of the city.
“Washington DC should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world and we’re going to make it that.”
Last week, the Republican president directed federal law enforcement agencies to increase their presence in Washington for seven days, with the option “to extend as needed”.
A member of the National Guard patrols the area outside of the US Capitol in 2021.
File pic: AP
On Friday night, federal agencies including the Secret Service, the FBI and the US Marshals Service assigned more than 120 officers and agents to assist in Washington.
National Guard troops usually belong to individual states and personnel in many cases are trained to help with emergencies that those states have to deal with, such as natural disasters.
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Since they are the reserve force of the US military, National Guard troops are usually part-time, meaning that they have other jobs as well.
Minority leader of the US House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, responded to Mr Trump’s announcement on Monday with a post on X which read: “Violent crime in Washington, DC is at a thirty-year low.
“Donald Trump has no basis to take over the local police department. And zero credibility on the issue of law and order.
“Get lost.”
In a social media post on Sunday, Mr Trump emphasised the removal of Washington’s homeless population, though it was unclear where the thousands of people would go.
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“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” Mr Trump wrote.
“We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
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