In the wake of a tragic incident in New Orleans that left 14 people dead, families of the victims like the Bech and Tenedorio families share their heart-wrenching stories of loss and the enduring pain of unanswered questions. Both families grapple with grief while seeking closure amid slow responses from authorities.
Families Seek Justice and Closure After Tragic New Year's Attack in New Orleans
Families Seek Justice and Closure After Tragic New Year's Attack in New Orleans
As the community reels from a devastating attack during New Year's celebrations, families of the victims express their grief and frustration over the lack of information regarding their loved ones.
In the chaotic hours leading up to New Year's Eve, tragedy struck in New Orleans as an SUV plowed into a crowd, claiming the lives of 14 victims, including brothers Jack and Martin Bech, and audio-visual technician Matthew Tenedorio. Jack, who had been in a conversation with his brother just hours before the incident, shared his pain at losing a role model, describing how their tight-knit family will never be the same. "We’ll have to deal with it every day," he said.
Tiger, as Martin was known among friends and family, had traveled to New Orleans to celebrate the New Year ahead. Little did he know it would be his last evening, marked instead by horror as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old army veteran, drove his pick-up truck into the revelers before being killed in a gunfight with police.
The Bech family now faces every holiday with an empty seat and strives to remember Martin’s zest for life. Jack emphasized that his brother "wouldn’t want us to grieve,” urging relatives to cherish his memory and find strength in the midst of their sorrow.
Another victim, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, had spent his last moments with family before entering the festivities in New Orleans. His cousin, Christina Bounds, recounted their desperation in trying to convince him to stay home, fearing the crowded streets. After the attack, the family was left in turmoil and confusion, report significant delays in receiving information from authorities about Matthew's fate.
"We don’t even know what happened," Bounds shared, expressing the pain of uncertainty that has left many families reeling. A GoFundMe page has been initiated to help with Matthew’s funeral expenses, exposing the further financial strain exacerbated by his mother's recent cancer battle.
As they grieve, Matthew's cousin, Zach Colgan, highlights the importance of focusing on the victims rather than the chaotic circumstances of the attack. "No family should ever have to bury their son, especially for something so senseless," he said. Families continue to seek answers while remembering the lives lost, affirming a collective belief: “No-one deserves this.”
Tiger, as Martin was known among friends and family, had traveled to New Orleans to celebrate the New Year ahead. Little did he know it would be his last evening, marked instead by horror as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old army veteran, drove his pick-up truck into the revelers before being killed in a gunfight with police.
The Bech family now faces every holiday with an empty seat and strives to remember Martin’s zest for life. Jack emphasized that his brother "wouldn’t want us to grieve,” urging relatives to cherish his memory and find strength in the midst of their sorrow.
Another victim, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, had spent his last moments with family before entering the festivities in New Orleans. His cousin, Christina Bounds, recounted their desperation in trying to convince him to stay home, fearing the crowded streets. After the attack, the family was left in turmoil and confusion, report significant delays in receiving information from authorities about Matthew's fate.
"We don’t even know what happened," Bounds shared, expressing the pain of uncertainty that has left many families reeling. A GoFundMe page has been initiated to help with Matthew’s funeral expenses, exposing the further financial strain exacerbated by his mother's recent cancer battle.
As they grieve, Matthew's cousin, Zach Colgan, highlights the importance of focusing on the victims rather than the chaotic circumstances of the attack. "No family should ever have to bury their son, especially for something so senseless," he said. Families continue to seek answers while remembering the lives lost, affirming a collective belief: “No-one deserves this.”
