Families of New Orleans Attack Victims Demand Answers Amid Grief and Loss

Sat Jan 03 2026 02:11:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The emotional toll from the New Year's Eve tragedy in New Orleans is profound, as families of victims seek clarity after the devastating attack.

In the aftermath of a deadly New Year's Eve incident in New Orleans, families of the victims, including Jack Bech and Christina Bounds, are grappling with heartbreaking loss and unanswered questions regarding their loved ones, urging officials for more information on the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Flowers adorned Bourbon Street as mourners remember the 14 lives lost in the recent New Year's Eve attack in New Orleans. Among the victims was 28-year-old Martin "Tiger" Bech, whose brother Jack recounted their last conversation just hours before the tragedy struck. The two brothers, separated by miles, exchanged pleasantries as Jack visited family in Dallas while Tiger prepared to celebrate in New Orleans.

Tragically, the celebration turned into a nightmare as an army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove into a crowd and later exchanged gunfire with police. Although authorities claim that Jabbar was acting alone, the impact of his actions has left families grappling with overwhelming grief. Jack described his brother as his guiding light, vowing to remember him as a fighter instead of succumbing to despair. "He'd want us to keep attacking life," Jack shared, reflecting on the indelible mark his brother left on their close-knit family.

Another victim, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, had celebrated his birthday just months prior. His cousin Christina Bounds revealed that Tenedorio's family had warned him against heading into the bustling crowds of New Orleans but he went anyway. The chaos of the night unfolded with cries and gunfire, resulting in Tenedorio being separated from his friends. As inquiries about his death go unanswered, his family is left in anguish over a lack of communication with officials.

"We couldn't get any information when my aunt showed up at the hospital," Bounds lamented. "There's been zero information, and that’s the frustrating part." Seeking closure, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to alleviate the burden of funeral expenses, made daunting by their mother's medical costs.

Described as a "happy-go-lucky guy" by his cousin Zach Colgan, Tenedorio's legacy carries on through the affection of his family and friends who are determined that the focus remains on the victims of this senseless act rather than the chaos that ensued. "No family should ever have to bury their son, especially for something so senseless," Colgan emphasized, adding, "I want every single one of them to be remembered."