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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
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.

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New Orleans suspect ‘says hello’ on old promo vid

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 has been named as one of the victims. Pic: Family
Image:
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.”

Pic: Jack Bech
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.”

Analysis: IS flag stark reminder extremist ideology never went away

Matthew Tenedorio

Matthew Tenedorio
Image:
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
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.

Read more:
What more do we know about suspect?

New Orleans eyewitnesses describe carnage
New Year’s carnage haunts New Orleans – but ‘Big Easy’ has suffered before

Reggie Hunter

Reggie Hunter
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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
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

Kareem Badawi. Pic: Facebook/Belal 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

Drew Dauphin. Pic:@AuburnU/ X
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

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

terrence kennedy
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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.”

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‘Bella Ciao’ to ‘OwO’ – what the engravings on bullets in Charlie Kirk case may refer to

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'Bella Ciao' to 'OwO' - what the engravings on bullets in Charlie Kirk case may refer to

Experts have described engravings left on ammunition at the scene of the Charlie Kirk shooting as “extremely online” – so what do the words and symbols actually mean?

Authorities said on Friday that the suspect accused of fatally shooting the Conservative activist left behind bullet casings featuring references to fascism, video games and internet memes.

Kirk at Utah Valley University where he was shot. Pic: Reuters/The Salt Lake Tribune
Image:
Kirk at Utah Valley University where he was shot. Pic: Reuters/The Salt Lake Tribune

To those who aren’t chronically online, the messages may appear to be total gibberish. But for others, specifically gamers, many of the meanings will have immediately been clear.

Here’s what each of the casings reference – and why experts have cautioned against using them to make assumptions about the suspect’s political leanings.

1. ‘notices, bulges, OWO, what’s this?’

This writing appears to reference a meme about the furry subculture, which centres on an interest in anthropomorphic animal characters.

Within the furry community, OwO is an emoticon of a cute face (with the Os as the eyes and the w as a cute mouth or nose) and used as a way of flirting – but outside the community, it is often used in a mocking way, or as part of trolling.

It’s incredibly common for phrases used by people who are “extremely online” – which essentially means highly engaged in online culture – to have double or multiple meanings.

For this reason, experts have cautioned against trying to interpret messages such as these engravings to determine an attacker’s political leanings or motive.

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What we know about the shooting arrest

Jamie Cohen, an assistant professor of media studies who studies memes at Queens College in New York, said: “Oftentimes this extremely online disguise is meant to be doublespeak.”

Speaking to Sky News’ US partner NBC News, he continued: “It’s meant specifically for someone like me to dive into what they would call meme culture and declare them something so that they get more press.

“So it could just be another bait and switch for researchers who are falling into the same trap that they are designing for more viral exposure.”

2. ‘Hey, fascist! Catch ↑ → ↓↓↓’

When asked by Sky News’ US correspondent James Matthews what the messages on the casings meant, Utah governor Spencer Cox said the writing referring to a fascist “speaks for itself”.

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Engraving on bullet casing ‘speaks for itself’

The second half of the inscription – the directional arrows – were immediately identified by some gamers.

Helldivers 2 players have pointed out that the arrow sequence is the code used to summon a 500kg bomb in the 2024 game – which itself has been interpreted as a satire of fascism.

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3. ‘Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao’

Bella Ciao is a classic Italian song that became a popular anti-fascism anthem during Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship.

It has won renewed popularity in recent years thanks, in part, to featuring multiple times in Netflix’s Spanish television series Money Heist.

A popular remix of Bella Ciao has hit more than 260 million streams on Spotify worldwide and it’s become a favourite on TikTok, as well as within the gaming community.

Read more:
All we know about the suspected assassin
The string of bloody political violence in the MAGA era

4. ‘If you read this, you are gay lmao’

This juvenile insult, using the well-known abbreviation for ‘laughing my ass off’, is a common ‘gotcha’ phrase and simply appears to mock investigators.

The messages, another expert has said, make one thing clear – the suspect was likely seeking fame.

Lindsay Hahn, a University at Buffalo associate professor who researches ideological extremism and the ways in which perpetrators of violence justify their actions, said the messages do not necessarily indicate a specific ideology.

“But what they do indicate, is that the shooter wanted to get a message across and therefore be talked about online,” she told NBC.

“It sort of seems like these messages, at the very minimum, were selected because he knew they were going to be talked about.”

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Charlie Kirk memorial to be held in Arizona stadium

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Charlie Kirk memorial to be held in Arizona stadium

A memorial for right-wing US influencer Charlie Kirk will be held next Sunday, in a stadium that previously hosted the 2023 Super Bowl.

The 31-year-old, who was a close ally of Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday while speaking to university students at an event in Utah.

His appearance at Utah Valley University was part of a planned tour of US college campuses.

A memorial for Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A memorial for Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Pic: Reuters

Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, shortly before he was shot. Pic: AP
Image:
Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, shortly before he was shot. Pic: AP

Turning Point USA, the prominent youth conservative organisation of which Mr Kirk was the president and co-founder, is holding the event at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix.

The venue is the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and can hold more than 60,000 people.

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington, Utah, is being held without bail after being arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice charges, according to court documents.

The motivation behind the fatal shooting is still unclear, but Utah governor Spencer Cox commented that Robinson described Mr Kirk as “full of hate and spreading hate”.

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Robinson is due to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday, when he is also expected to be charged, the Utah County attorney’s office said.

Tyler Robinson. Pic: Utah Governor's Office
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Tyler Robinson. Pic: Utah Governor’s Office

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Suspect’s movements before and after shooting

President Trump, who will be back in the US after his UK state visit next week, has previously said he plans to attend Mr Kirk’s funeral.

Mr Trump has said he will be posthumously awarding Mr Kirk with the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Mr Kirk’s body was flown back from Salt Lake City to his home state of Arizona on Air Force Two on Thursday, with the US vice president and close friend JD Vance on board.

JD Vance helps carry the coffin of Charlie Kirk from Air Force Two in Arizona
Image:
JD Vance helps carry the coffin of Charlie Kirk from Air Force Two in Arizona

His widow, Erika Kirk, has vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.

Speaking publicly for the first time in a livestreamed video on Friday, she said: “To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die.”

“It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”

She said she told her three-year-old daughter: “Daddy went on a work trip with Jesus.”

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Charlie Kirk shooting: What bullet inscriptions mean

Read more: What the engravings on bullets in Charlie Kirk case may refer to

Mr Kirk, who was a father of two, had millions of followers across social media.

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A makeshift memorial to Mr Kirk has been set up at Utah Valley University, with flowers, American flags and handwritten messages left at the main entrance.

The university says there will be increased security when classes resume on Wednesday.

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‘Bella Ciao’ to ‘OwO’ – what do the engravings on the bullets in the Charlie Kirk shooting mean?

Published

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'Bella Ciao' to 'OwO' - what the engravings on bullets in Charlie Kirk case may refer to

Experts have described engravings left on ammunition at the scene of the Charlie Kirk shooting as “extremely online” – so what do the words and symbols actually mean?

Authorities said on Friday that the suspect accused of fatally shooting the Conservative activist left behind bullet casings featuring references to fascism, video games and internet memes.

Kirk at Utah Valley University where he was shot. Pic: Reuters/The Salt Lake Tribune
Image:
Kirk at Utah Valley University where he was shot. Pic: Reuters/The Salt Lake Tribune

To those who aren’t chronically online, the messages may appear to be total gibberish. But for others, specifically gamers, many of the meanings will have immediately been clear.

Here’s what each of the casings reference – and why experts have cautioned against using them to make assumptions about the suspect’s political leanings.

1. ‘notices, bulges, OWO, what’s this?’

This writing appears to reference a meme about the furry subculture, which centres on an interest in anthropomorphic animal characters.

Within the furry community, OwO is an emoticon of a cute face (with the Os as the eyes and the w as a cute mouth or nose) and used as a way of flirting – but outside the community, it is often used in a mocking way, or as part of trolling.

It’s incredibly common for phrases used by people who are “extremely online” – which essentially means highly engaged in online culture – to have double or multiple meanings.

For this reason, experts have cautioned against trying to interpret messages such as these engravings to determine an attacker’s political leanings or motive.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What we know about the shooting arrest

Jamie Cohen, an assistant professor of media studies who studies memes at Queens College in New York, said: “Oftentimes this extremely online disguise is meant to be doublespeak.”

Speaking to Sky News’ US partner NBC News, he continued: “It’s meant specifically for someone like me to dive into what they would call meme culture and declare them something so that they get more press.

“So it could just be another bait and switch for researchers who are falling into the same trap that they are designing for more viral exposure.”

2. ‘Hey, fascist! Catch ↑ → ↓↓↓’

When asked by Sky News’ US correspondent James Matthews what the messages on the casings meant, Utah governor Spencer Cox said the writing referring to a fascist “speaks for itself”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Engraving on bullet casing ‘speaks for itself’

The second half of the inscription – the directional arrows – were immediately identified by some gamers.

Helldivers 2 players have pointed out that the arrow sequence is the code used to summon a 500kg bomb in the 2024 game – which itself has been interpreted as a satire of fascism.

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

3. ‘Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao’

Bella Ciao is a classic Italian song that became a popular anti-fascism anthem during Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship.

It has won renewed popularity in recent years thanks, in part, to featuring multiple times in Netflix’s Spanish television series Money Heist.

A popular remix of Bella Ciao has hit more than 260 million streams on Spotify worldwide and it’s become a favourite on TikTok, as well as within the gaming community.

Read more:
All we know about the suspected assassin
The string of bloody political violence in the MAGA era

4. ‘If you read this, you are gay lmao’

This juvenile insult, using the well-known abbreviation for ‘laughing my ass off’, is a common ‘gotcha’ phrase and simply appears to mock investigators.

The messages, another expert has said, make one thing clear – the suspect was likely seeking fame.

Lindsay Hahn, a University at Buffalo associate professor who researches ideological extremism and the ways in which perpetrators of violence justify their actions, said the messages do not necessarily indicate a specific ideology.

“But what they do indicate, is that the shooter wanted to get a message across and therefore be talked about online,” she told NBC.

“It sort of seems like these messages, at the very minimum, were selected because he knew they were going to be talked about.”

Continue Reading

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