On the eve of New Year’s Day, a joyous celebration turned into a nightmare on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. A 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. The chaos ended with a gunfight, leaving the attacker dead. Authorities suspect Jabbar acted alone despite his online proclamations of allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Among the victims of New Orleans was 28-year-old Martin “Tiger” Bech, a Princeton alumnus and former football star. Tiger had been on a phone call with his younger brother Jack just hours before the attack. Jack, recalling their last conversation, said, “I hung up the phone, and that was the last time I ever spoke with him.” The Bech family, now devastated, described Tiger as a fighter and a source of inspiration. “Every holiday, there’s going to be an empty seat at the table,” Jack said. Despite their grief, they are determined to honor Tiger’s legacy.
A Family’s Grief: Searching for Closure
Another victim of New Orleans attack, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, had spent the earlier part of the evening with his family in Slidell, Louisiana, before heading to New Orleans. His family, concerned about safety in the crowded city, had begged him not to go. Tragically, their fears became reality when Tenedorio was separated from his friends amid the chaos. His family believes he was shot and killed during the exchange of gunfire between the attacker and police.
Tenedorio’s cousin, Christina Bounds, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities. “We couldn’t get any information,” she said, noting that his mother was left in the dark after arriving at the hospital. The family’s agony has been compounded by unanswered questions. “Was he carried out by EMS? Did he die instantly? We just don’t know,” Bounds lamented.
Remembering the Victims: Lives Cut Short in senseless New Orleans attack
The victims of this senseless act were more than just numbers; they were vibrant individuals with hopes, dreams, and loving families. Tiger Bech was a role model and adventurer, known for his zest for life. Jack described his brother as someone who “wouldn’t want us to grieve” but to “keep attacking life.”
Tenedorio, an audio-visual technician at Caesars Superdome, was remembered as a “goofball” with a big heart. His cousin Zach Colgan said, “He cared deeply about people and animals. It’s sad that a New Orleans terrorist attack took him.” The family has since launched a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, a necessity made harder by his mother’s medical bills from a recent battle with cancer.
Calls for Accountability and Healing aftermath of New Orleans
As families mourn, they are united in their demand for answers and accountability. Colgan, with experience in law enforcement, acknowledged the chaos of the situation but stressed the need for transparency. “Part of closure is getting answers,” he said, emphasizing that knowing what happened could help families accept the tragedy.
Despite their anguish, families want the public focus to remain on the victims rather than the perpetrator. “They didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this,” Colgan stated. The sentiment echoes across New Orleans as the community grapples with the senseless loss of life and seeks to heal from the horror that marred the start of a new year.
Community Response and Remembrance
Despite the tragedy in New Orleans attack, families of the victims are finding ways to honor their loved ones’ memories. Jack Bech speaks of his brother Tiger’s fighting spirit, encouraging family members to “keep attacking life” as Tiger would have wanted. The family has chosen to view his presence as constant rather than occasional, finding him in their daily moments and activities.
Zach Colgan, another cousin of Matthew Tenedorio, emphasizes the importance of remembering all victims of this senseless attack. While acknowledging the challenging nature of the investigation, Colgan hopes the focus remains on honoring those lost rather than dwelling on preventive measures or law enforcement response. His message resonates with the community’s collective grief: “They didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this.”
