New Orleans honors victims of New Year’s Eve attacks with ‘outpouring of love’ at vigil
5 min read
New Orleans held a vigil to mourn the lives of the 14 individuals killed when a truck drove into revelers celebrating the new yr.
A few of the family members of these killed have been among those that gathered Saturday night on Bourbon Road, the famous thoroughfare in the French Quarter where the attack passed off.
The vigil started near a makeshift memorial with photographs of the victims, candles, teddy bears and flowers rigorously arranged on the road.
Households huddled collectively and cried, but when a marching band started to play, the sorrow turned to celebration as the gang danced and followed the music.
A second line marching band performing on the vigil. Photograph: Reuters
The New Orleans Coroner’s Office has identified 13 of the 14 victimsincluding British citizen Edward Pettifer.
The 31-year-old, from west London, was the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who was Prince William and Prince Harry’s nanny between 1993 and 1999.
William paid tribute to Mr Pettifer yesterdaysaying he was “shocked and saddened” by his “tragic” demise.
Husband and spouse Louis and Cathy Tenedorio along with tributes to the victims, including their son. Photograph: Reuters
A mourner locations a candle in the course of the vigil Photograph: Reuters
Cathy Tenedorio, whose 25-year-old son Matthew died New Yr’s assaultstated she felt moved by the condolences and kindness at the vigil.
“It’s probably the most overwhelming response of affection, an outpouring of affection,” she stated. “I float by means of all of it.”
Autrele Felix, whose good friend Nicole Perez was killed, stated: “It means so much to see our metropolis come collectively when there's a actual tragedy. All of us grow to be one.”
Study extra:
Suspect’s half-brother speaks out
How the atrocity unfolded
A lady pays tribute to him. Photograph: Reuters
Photograph: Reuters
Others stated stepping into the vacation spirit was the easiest way to honor the victims.
“As a result of that’s what they have been right here for, they have been having a superb time,” stated Kari Mitten, a longtime New Orleans resident.
The cause of demise for all 14 victims was listed as “blunt drive injuries” by the coroner’s workplace.
Round 30 different individuals have been injured in the attack, which noticed Shamsud-Din Jabbar, former US Military soldier driving a rental truck into a crowd of individuals in the early hours of New Yr’s Day.
Jabbar proclaimed his help for Islamic State in videos posted online hours before the incident. He was shot lifeless during an trade of fireside with police at the scene.
Of the injured, 13 remain hospitalized and eight are in intensive care, a spokesperson for College Medical Middle in New Orleans stated.