A former wide receiver at Princeton University, a doting father of two and a recent high school graduate were identified by family members as three of the people killed in the truck attack Wednesday in New Orleans.
At least 15 people were killed and more than 30 were injured when a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas plowed a pickup into crowds on Bourbon Street celebrating the new year, authorities said. He opened fire on responding officers and was killed, officials have said.
An Islamic State group flag was found in the truck, the FBI said. It said that it is looking into the suspect’s potential connections with terrorist organizations and that it is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
New Orleans police and officials with the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office have not released the names of the people who were killed; however, family members have identified some.
Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, 27
Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, was killed, his mother, Michelle Bech, told NBC News on Wednesday afternoon.
Tiger Bech, a graduate of Princeton University, where he was an accomplished wide receiver and punt returner, lived in New York City and worked as a junior bond trader for a Wall Street company, his mother said.
He was with a friend on Bourbon Street when the truck hit him, his mother said. His friend survived the attack. Tiger Bech was later pronounced dead at a hospital, but Michelle Bech said she was able to say goodbye to him before he died.
“He was living his best life, and he knew it,” she said. “It just leaves a huge void in our life.”
Bech, of Lafayette, Louisiana, said Tiger Bech trained with his younger brother, Jack, a wide receiver at Texas Christian University who was preparing for the NFL draft.
Tiger was his youngest brother’s “biggest supporter,” she said.
Jack Bech posted on X about his brother’s death:
“Love you always brother! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.” He ended the message with a heart emoji.
Princeton’s athletic department said in a statement Wednesday that Bech’s nickname was fitting.
“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way — a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend,” head football coach Bob Surace said. “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. My love goes to the entire Bech family.”
Bech was a member of the 2016 and 2018 Ivy League champion teams. He earned two All-Ivy honors as a return specialist for the Tigers, including second-team accolades in 2018, the school’s first perfect season since 1964, the university said.
Bech also recorded 53 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns as wide receiver, Princeton said.
His high school, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, in Lafayette, said in a statement Wednesday that the community was mourning his death. Bech graduated in 2015 and was called a “standout” in football, lacrosse and track and field, the school said.
Reggie Hunter, 37
Reggie Hunter, 37, of Baton Rouge, died after the truck hit him, said his cousin Shirell Jackson, of Hammond, Louisiana.
Jackson said she rushed to University Medical Center, where Hunter was pronounced dead.
She described her cousin as an “awesome person” and “a little-bitty guy” with a “big heart.” She said Hunter, a manager at a warehouse, was extremely funny and adored his children, boys ages 11 and 1.
“He just didn’t deserve this,” Jackson said.
He had been with another cousin who survived the attack, she said.
At the hospital, Jackson ran across others who had lost loved ones.
“I wish the mom who I’ve seen at the hospital wasn’t crying and her daughter wasn’t dead,” she said. She said there was also a couple whose son had died.
Regardless of a motive, the attack will have lasting consequences, Jackson said.
“Whether it was a terrorist or Joe Blow … from whatever, Louisiana, what they done was horrible,” she said. “They devastated so many lives.”
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, a recent high school graduate, was killed, her grandmother Jennifer Smith told The New York Times.
Her mother, Melissa Dedeaux, said Wednesday on Facebook that her daughter was killed and asked for prayers.
“When your parents say don’t go anywhere please listen to them…this was an act of terroism and now my baby is gone y’all,” she wrote. “my baby is gone she is no longer with us.”
The post was accompanied by a photograph of Ni’Kyra wearing a red graduation cap and gown.
Dedeaux could not be reached for comment.
