Fourteen flowers were placed at the entrance of Bourbon Street, symbolizing each life lost during a horrific New Year's Eve attack in New Orleans. Just hours before the clock struck midnight, 28-year-old Martin Bech, known to loved ones as "Tiger," spoke with his younger brother Jack, who was miles away celebrating in Dallas. They exchanged mundane details about their meals, blissfully unaware that it would be their last conversation.
In the aftermath of the attack, carried out by 42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who plowed through the crowds before being killed in an exchange of gunfire, families are struggling with their tragic losses. Jabbar, who had shared allegiance to the Islamic State online, appears to have acted alone according to FBI reports.
Tiger's family, gathered mostly in Lafayette, faces an unimaginable reality. Jack acknowledges the family's grief will be a daily battle, emphasizing that every holiday will feel incomplete without his brother. Yet, he is determined to honor Tiger's memory, urging his family to celebrate his life while embracing their bond.
Among the victims, Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician at Caesars Superdome, was also killed that night. Despite his family's apprehensions about the large crowd and dangers of the event, Matthew ventured into New Orleans with friends. His family is grappling with feelings of helplessness as they seek information about his final moments, finding communication with authorities lacking.
As the grieving relatives await answers, they express their anger and frustration at the absence of crucial information regarding their loved ones' deaths. Tenedorio's cousin, Christina Bounds, reflects on the family's ongoing struggle with grief, exacerbated by the significant medical bills from her mother's recent cancer treatment. A GoFundMe has been launched to assist with funeral costs.
In remembrance of Matthew, his cousin Zach Colgan describes him as a cheerful storyteller who brought joy to those around him. He believes it's imperative for the community to remember and honor the victims rather than focusing solely on the attack's aftermath or law enforcement's response.
With every day that passes, the families are steadfast in their collective efforts to find closure, driven by the desire to ensure that no one is forgotten. As Jack Bech poignantly states, "No one deserves this."
In the aftermath of the attack, carried out by 42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who plowed through the crowds before being killed in an exchange of gunfire, families are struggling with their tragic losses. Jabbar, who had shared allegiance to the Islamic State online, appears to have acted alone according to FBI reports.
Tiger's family, gathered mostly in Lafayette, faces an unimaginable reality. Jack acknowledges the family's grief will be a daily battle, emphasizing that every holiday will feel incomplete without his brother. Yet, he is determined to honor Tiger's memory, urging his family to celebrate his life while embracing their bond.
Among the victims, Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician at Caesars Superdome, was also killed that night. Despite his family's apprehensions about the large crowd and dangers of the event, Matthew ventured into New Orleans with friends. His family is grappling with feelings of helplessness as they seek information about his final moments, finding communication with authorities lacking.
As the grieving relatives await answers, they express their anger and frustration at the absence of crucial information regarding their loved ones' deaths. Tenedorio's cousin, Christina Bounds, reflects on the family's ongoing struggle with grief, exacerbated by the significant medical bills from her mother's recent cancer treatment. A GoFundMe has been launched to assist with funeral costs.
In remembrance of Matthew, his cousin Zach Colgan describes him as a cheerful storyteller who brought joy to those around him. He believes it's imperative for the community to remember and honor the victims rather than focusing solely on the attack's aftermath or law enforcement's response.
With every day that passes, the families are steadfast in their collective efforts to find closure, driven by the desire to ensure that no one is forgotten. As Jack Bech poignantly states, "No one deserves this."
