Catholic high schools mourn alumni after deadly New Orleans attack

Several Catholic high schools are mourning former students who were among the victims of a terrorist attack in New Orleans on January 1. Fourteen people lost their lives, and dozens were injured when a rented pickup truck driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street. Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.

The FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist attack due to evidence found at the scene, including an Islamic State flag in the truck. Initially searching for other potential suspects, the agency later stated they believe Jabbar acted alone.

Authorities are also examining any connections between this attack and an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, which resulted in one death and seven injuries.

Among those killed in New Orleans were Martin “Tiger” Bech Jr. and Hubert Gauthreaux, both alumni of Catholic high schools in Louisiana. Bech graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette and was a Princeton University alumnus known for his athletic achievements. The school expressed its condolences through social media posts and organized a rosary prayer service to honor him.

Gauthreaux was a graduate of Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana. The school announced his death with sorrow and requested prayers for his soul and family.

Ryan Quigley, another victim injured during the attack, graduated from Lansdale Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. He had been teammates with Bech at Princeton University and worked alongside him at Seaport Global. The school extended support to Quigley’s family through social media and fundraising efforts.

A GoFundMe page launched by classmates raised over $79,500 to assist with funeral expenses for Bech and medical costs for Quigley as of January 2.

“We pray for all of the victims who lost their lives this morning,” said Lansdale Catholic High School's statement on social media.

Gina Christian reports for OSV News.

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