A former Princeton University wide receiver, a loving father of two and a recent high school graduate were identified by family as three of the victims killed in Wednesday’s truck attack in New Orleans.
At least 15 people were killed and more than 30 injured when a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas drove a truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street celebrating the new year. He opened fire on responding officers and was killed, authorities said.
An Islamic State group flag was found in the truck, the FBI said. The agency said it is investigating the suspect’s possible connections to terrorist organizations and 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 died in the attack, however some have been identified by family members.
Martín ‘Tigre’ Bech, 27 years old
Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, was one of the slain victims, his mother, Michelle Bech, told NBC News Wednesday afternoon.
Tiger Bech, a graduate of Princeton University, where he was an accomplished punt receiver and returner, lives in New York City and worked as a junior bond trader for a Wall Street firm, his mother said.
He was with a friend on Bourbon Street when he was hit by the truck, 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 lives.”
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 younger brother’s “biggest supporter,” he said.
Jack Bech posted on X about his brother’s death.
“I will always love you brother! You inspired me every day now you can be with me every moment. I have this T family, don’t worry. “This is for us,” he wrote, ending the message with a heart emoji.
Princeton’s athletic department said in a statement Wednesday that Bech’s nickname was appropriate.
“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way: a fierce competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a loving friend,” said Princeton football coach Bob Surace. “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 graduating. My love goes out to the entire Bech family.”
Bech was a member of the 2016 and 2018 Ivy League championship teams. She earned two All-Ivy honors as a return specialist for the Princeton Tigers, including second-team accolades during the school’s first perfect season since 1964 in 2018, the university said.
Bech also recorded 53 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns as a wide receiver during his career, Princeton said.
Tiger Bech’s 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 years old
Reggie Hunter, 37, of Baton Rouge, died after being hit by the suspect’s pickup truck, said his cousin Shirell Jackson of Hammond, Louisiana.
Jackson said he rushed to University Medical Center, where Hunter was pronounced dead.
He described his cousin as an “amazing person” and “a little guy” with a “big heart.” She said Hunter, a warehouse manager, was extremely funny and adored her children, boys ages 11 and 1.
“He just didn’t deserve this,” Jackson said.
He was with another cousin who survived the attack, he said.
At the hospital, Jackson met other people who had lost loved ones.
“I wish the mother I saw in the hospital wasn’t crying and that her daughter wasn’t dead,” he said. He said there was also a couple whose son had died.
Regardless of the motive, the attack will have lasting consequences, Jackson said.
“Whether it was a terrorist or Joe Blow… from whatever, Louisiana, what they did was horrible,” he said. “They devastated so many lives.”
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux
Ni’Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, a recent high school graduate, was one of the victims who died in the attack, her grandmother, Jennifer Smith, told the New York Times.
Her mother, Melissa Dedeaux, posted on Facebook Wednesday that her daughter was murdered and asked for prayers.
“When your parents tell you not to go anywhere, please listen to them… this was an act of terrorism and now my baby is gone,” she wrote. “My baby is gone, he is no longer with us.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of Ni’Kyra wearing a red graduation cap and gown.
NBC News was unable to reach Dedeaux for comment.
