New Orleans victim killed in Bourbon Street attack named and pictured | World | News
One of the 15 people killed when a truck ploughed into New Years’ revellers in New Orleans has been named as 18-year-old Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux.
Dedeaux had travelled to New Orleans from nearby Gulfport with her cousin to welcome in the new year but was mercilessly killed when a truck drove through the crowded French Quarter Street in what authorities believe was an act of terrorism.
Her grieving mother Melissa Dedeaux, 40, wept as she said: “I just want to see my baby, she was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything.”
Known as ‘Cheyenne’ to her family, the teenager was not supposed to be in New Orleans but had reportedly snuck over the state border from neighbouring Mississippi to celebrate with her cousin and their friend.
Her mother said: “I didn’t even know she came over here, no matter how good you are, how sweet you are, you can be the one that’s buried. Things like this can happen.”
The friend told how the trio were leaving Voodoo Chicken & Daquiris on Bourbon near Bienville Street when “out of nowhere” he heard “commotion” and “banging”.
Melissa Dedeaux’s niece told her gunfire rang out, causing the group to run. As Cheyenne stepped into the road, she was hit by the truck, leaving her with horrific, fatal injuries.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has not officially confirmed Cheyenne Dedeaux’s death, but Melissa Dedeaux said she knows her daughter was killed.
She added: “As a mother, when my niece said they covered her with a sheet, I just knew that was it for my daughter.”
Cheyenne, the third of six children, was due to start a nursing programme in less than two weeks as she aimed to be a nurse like her mother.
Melissa Dedeaux said: “Cheyenne was a very smart and outgoing girl, she’s never gotten into any trouble.”
“If she wasn’t at work, she was sleeping or getting together with her girls. She always had carloads of friends.”
Shamsud Din Jabbar is reported to be the man who drove a pick-up truck with an ISIS flag into the crowd, according to law enforcement officials briefed on the case speaking to NBC News.
Texas-born Jabbar then started firing at police officers before being shot dead. Officials are now working to identify more information about the 42-year-old’s background and travel history.
