We're starting to learn more about the victims who were killed or hurt on New Year's Day in New Orleans when a pickup truck driver crashed into a crowd of people.
Two of the victims are alumni of Princeton University and were together when the attack happened.
The Louisiana alma mater of Tiger Bech, St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Louisiana, confirmed that the 27-year-old former Princeton football star is among those who were killed.
Bech was an Ivy League kick returner who played for the university from 2016 to 2018.
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"He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend. Our last conversation was about how proud I was of the growth he showed during his time at Princeton and the success he was having after graduation," Charles W. Caldwell Jr. '25 Head Coach of Football Bob Surace said in a statement. "My love goes to the entire Bech family."
NBC Philadelphia has also learned that among the injured is Bech's friend, 2016 Lansdale Catholic graduate Ryan Quigley.
“We are incredibly proud to count Ryan among our graduates, and we are inspired by the ways in which his LC classmates are coming together to support his family during this difficult time," the school said in a statement.
Beck and Quigley were on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. on New Year's Day when a truck plowed into a crowd celebrating the start of 2025.
The FBI identified the suspect behind the wheel as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar.
Jabbar is a U.S. citizen and Army veteran who was killed in a shootout with police.
Investigators said that the white truck Jabbar had rented had an ISIS flag on the back when he bypassed a police perimeter and intentionally drove into innocent bystanders.
The FBI revealed they found improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, in Jabbar's truck as well as around the French Quarter.
While investigators initially believed Jabbar had accomplices in Wednesday's attack, they later determined he acted alone.
NBC10 learned on Thursday that Billy DiMaio, a graduate of Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, is among the victims who were killed in the attack on Wednesday morning.
Tiger Bech's sister speaks out
Tiger Bech's sister, Virginia Bech, told NBC10 on Thursday that her bond with her brother was so strong that she moved from Louisiana to Philadelphia in order to be closer to him when he started playing football at Princeton.
She also shared a photo of them with their two other siblings at their brother's senior night at Texas Christian University back on Nov. 23, 2024. It was one of the last times the entire family was together.
Virginia Bech said her brother lived his life to the fullest in 2024, running with the bulls in Spain, traveling to Egypt, completing an Iron Man competition and getting his dream job as a junior bond trader. He died in what she said was his favorite place in the world, "The Swamp," after spending time with his loved ones and eating his aunt's famous gumbo.
"Evil will not prevail," Virginia Bech said. "We are going to live life with more joy, happiness, and love than we ever have before in his memory. We will not live in hate."
Virginia also spoke more about the friendship her brother had with Quigley. She said the two developed a quick bond after meeting at Princeton and were roommates in New York City. They worked together at Seaport Global on Wall Street and did everything together, including fishing and duck hunting which they did hours before the attack.
Quigley is close to the Bech family and was even included in their family group chat. Virginia said her family is with Quigley as he continues to recover.
