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
Image: 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.
“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.”
Image: 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.”
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
Image: 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.
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
Image: 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
Image: 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
Image: 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
Image: 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
Image: 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.”
Tyler Robinson has been charged with the murder of right-wing US influencer Charlie Kirk.
The 22-year-old, from Washington, Utah, was charged with aggravated murder, weapon, and obstruction of justice offences ahead of a court appearance later on Tuesday.
Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty and that Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the alleged murder weapon.
A note was also found under his keyboard which said: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” according to a charging document from prosecutors.
It is also alleged that the suspect ordered his roommate to delete “incriminating texts” about the killing and to stay silent if questioned by police.
When his roommate texted to ask if he was the “one who did it”, Robinson replied: “I am, I’m sorry,” prosecutors allege.
Robinson is said to have written in another text: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
He also allegedly wrote he had been planning the shooting for just over a week.
The political activist, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, died after being shot in the neck with a bullet.
County attorney Jeff Gray said “aggravating factors” in the killing included that the “defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on his political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide”.
The obstruction of justice charges relate to allegations that Robinson disposed of the weapon used in the killing, along with clothing he is said to have worn at the time.
Robinson has been held without bail since his arrest.
Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and have carried out a search at his family home, 240 miles (385km) southwest of where the shooting took place.
Image: Charlie Kirk moments before he was shot. Pic: Reuters/Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune
Mr Gray said Robinson had accused Kirk of “spreading hate” during a conversation with his father. He also allegedly described the university as a “stupid venue” for the influencer to hold an event.
After the shooting, the county attorney said the suspect confessed to his parents after they confronted him, telling them he shot Kirk because “there is too much evil in the guy”.
Robinson’s mother told police that her son had become more political and had “started to lean more to the left” in the past year or so, Mr Gray said.
He added that the 22-year-old had become more “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented”, according to his parents.
His mother said he had started to date his roommate, who was “transitioning genders”, prompting “discussions” with his father who had very different political views.
Robinson allegedly wrote in another message to his roommate that “since Trump got into office [my father] has been pretty diehard Maga”.
The FBI director has shouted at Democratic senators during a hearing, taking questions on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Jeffrey Epstein and the firing of agents.
Kash Patel was testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee for the first oversight hearing of his tenure as director of the US federal law enforcement bureau.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Mr Patel defended the FBI’s handling of the investigation into the killing of Mr Kirk, as well as his social media post saying that a suspect had been arrested, before that person was ultimately released.
“Could I have been more careful in my verbiage and included ‘a’ subject instead of ‘the’ subject? Sure,” he said of the post.
Democraticsenator Cory Booker opened his questioning by accusing Patel of lying about firing FBI agents out of retribution for political investigations.
Five FBI agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month, according to the Associated Press.
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Image: Booker accused Patel of making the US ‘weaker and less safe’. Pic: AP
Mr Booker said that the director “pushed out senior FBI agents with decades of knowledge and experience”, and added: “You’ve shifted the agency’s priorities primarily to pursuing Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
“I believe you have made our country weaker and less safe.”
Mr Patel responded that “you don’t get to say that America is not safer under this leadership”, and said that Mr Booker’s “rant of false information does not bring this country together”, prompting the Democrat to raise his voice.
The two then shouted at each other before committee chair and Republican senator Chuck Grassley banged his gavel to interrupt them.
“I’ve watched him talk over us, and you’ve never once criticised him for us,” Mr Booker said to the chair as he got up to leave the room. “He has been really disrespectful to senator after senator.”
Image: Mr Patel also clashed with Adam Schiff over Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: AP
Mr Patel also clashed with Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who questioned the FBI and Trump administration’s handling of questions relating to the deceased paedophile financier Epstein.
The director accused him of “the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate” as they shouted at each other, and said “you are a political buffoon, at best”.
Mr Patel, a former lawyer who has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories, was controversially nominated to be the FBI director by US President Donald Trump last year.
He was narrowly confirmed by the Senate in a 51-49 vote in February. Two Republicans voted against his nomination.
American presidents have travelled to Britain to meet the Royal Family for more than 100 years.
Donald Trump will meet King Charles for the second time when he arrives in Windsor on Wednesday, having been hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II on his previous state visit during his first term.
For the King, it will be the first time he welcomes a US president as monarch.
Some presidents’ visits have run more smoothly than others. Here, we look back at some of the most memorable.
Woodrow Wilson was the first US president to visit the Royal Family while in office, making the long journey on SS Washington in December 1918 – weeks after the First World War came to an end.
Image: President Woodrow Wilson and King George V outside Buckingham Palace. Pic: PA
Arriving in London on Boxing Day, thousands of people lined the route to Buckingham Palace, where he appeared on the balcony alongside King George V and Queen Mary after chants of “we want Wilson” from the crowd.
King George VI also made history when he met Franklin D Roosevelt, after becoming the first reigning British monarch to travel to the US in June 1939.
Image: King George VI and Franklin Roosevelt in Washington DC. Pic: AP
Image: King George VI with Sara D. Roosevelt and New York governor Herbert Lehman eating hot dogs in Hyde Park. Pic: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
People flocked to greet him and the Queen Mother as they rode through the streets of Washington DC. After state dinner formalities at the White House, they travelled to New York, where they enjoyed a more relaxed hot dog picnic in Hyde Park.
Harry Truman was the first US president to meet Queen Elizabeth – while she was still a princess in 1951.
Image: Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh are greeted by Harry Truman in Washington DC in 1951. Pic: PA
Seven years after she took the throne, Dwight D Eisenhower met her at Balmoral, where a young Princess Anne and Prince Charles were pictured alongside him, wearing kilts.
Image: Dwight Eisenhower with the Queen, Prince Philip, a young Prince Charles, and Princess Anne at Balmoral in August 1959. Pic: AP
John F Kennedy met the then-35-year-old Queen Elizabeth in June 1961, just six months into his presidency.
Image: The Queen poses with John and Jackie Kennedy in June 1961. Pic: AP
A state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace, with the glamorous visit dramatised in the Netflix series The Crown.
Just two years later, on 22 November 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
Gerald Ford didn’t visit the UK during his two-and-a-half years in office, but the Queen met him on a visit to the US in July 1976.
Image: Gerald Ford dancing with the Queen in Washington. Pic: Rex
The pair danced together at a White House state dinner, but with unfortunate timing, the band played The Lady Is A Tramp just as the Queen took to the floor – a now infamous faux pas.
Jimmy Carter met the late Queen at Buckingham Palace in May 1977.
Image: Jimmy Carter and the Queen in London in May 1977. Pic: AP
His more memorable interaction was with the Queen Mother, however, when he abandoned protocol and greeted her with a kiss on the lips.
According to biographer William Shawcross, she later wrote: “I took a sharp step backwards – not quite far enough.”
Among the most memorable meetings of a British monarch and a US president was that of Ronald Reagan and the late Queen.
When he came to Windsor Castle in 1982, the pair were famously pictured riding horses together in the grounds.
He met her a further three times in London throughout the 1980s and she gave him an honorary knighthood when he left the White House in 1989.
George HW Bush, wasted no time in making the Queen’s acquaintance, travelling to the UK in May 1989, just five months after he was sworn in.
Image: The Queen and Prince Philip with George HW Bush and his wife Barbara in May 1991. Pic: AP
There were a few red faces when Her Majesty travelled to the US to visit him a year later.
As she stood up to give a speech on the White House lawn, she was partially obscured behind a cluster of microphones that had been arranged for the much taller Mr Bush. He later reassured reporters that the Queen laughed off the incident.
George W Bush‘s state visit in November 2003 was met with huge protests over the Iraq War. Tens of thousands of people crowded into Trafalgar Square, where an effigy of the president was toppled by demonstrators.
Image: The Queen and George W Bush at the White House in May 2007. Pic: AP
The protests did not appear to affect the ‘special relationship’, however, with the Queen visiting the US to meet Mr Bush in 2007, and him returning to the UK to see her a year later.
Barack Obama first met the Queen on a visit to the UK in 2009 when his wife, First Lady Michelle, made headlines for breaking royal protocol and giving Her Majesty a hug.
Image: The Queen and Prince Philip alongside the Obamas at a state banquet in London in May 2011. Pic: AP
Image: The Queen greets Barack Obama during his final UK visit in November 2016. Pic: AP
The Obamas received the full pomp of an official state visit in May 2011.
They visited a final time during the president’s second term in April 2016, when Marine One landed in the grounds of Windsor Castle and the royal couple walked to greet them.
Donald Trump first met the King while he was still Prince of Wales in December 2019, when his mother hosted a state visit to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Image: Donald Trump and the Queen in July 2018. Pic: AP
Image: Donald Trump and the Queen during 75th D-Day anniversary commemorations in June 2019. Pic: AP
Despite being accused of breaching royal protocol on several occasions, he described the Queen as an “incredible woman” in one of his speeches.
When Joe Biden visited Windsor Castle in June 2021 it was the first time the Queen had met a head of state alone – following the death of her husband Prince Philip.
Image: The Queen with Joe and Dr Jill Biden at Windsor Castle in 2021. Pic: PA
It was also the first state visit of any foreign leader after the coronavirus pandemic saw Her Majesty halt royal duties and quarantine at Windsor as part of ‘HMS Bubble’.