Princeton grad killed, Lansdale native hurt in New Year's Eve attack in New Orleans
Father of Lansdale native injured in New Orleans attack provides update
Tiger Bech, 28, was killed and his former Princeton University teammate and Lansdale native, Ryan Quigly, was among those injured in the New Orleans attack. Ryan Quigly's father spoke to FOX 29's Kelly Rule about how he is doing after the tragedy.
PHILADELPHIA - A Princeton University graduate and former football player was among over a dozen people killed in the New Year's Eve truck attack in New Orleans.
Tiger Bech, 28, was identified by hospital officials in New Orleans as a victim of the early morning attack on New Year's Eve revelers celebrating on Bourbon Street.
"You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry," Tiger's brother, Jack, wrote on X.
Princeton football head coach Bob Surace said he had been texting with Bech’s father, sharing memories of the former kick returner and wide receiver.
"He might be the first Tiger to ever play for us, and that nickname kind of described him as a competitor," the Princeton Tiger's coach told ESPN.
Tiger Bech, 28, was identified by hospital officials in New Orleans as a victim of early morning attack on New Year's Eve revelers celebrating on Bourbon Street. Bech's former Princeton teammate and Lansdale, Pennsylvania native, Ryan Quigly, was amo
Bech's former Princeton teammate and Lansdale, Pennsylvania native, Ryan Quigly, was among those injured in the attack.
Quigly is a 2016 graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School. The school on Wednesday said it's praying for Quigly's "full healing and complete recovery."
Ryan Quigley’s father told FOX 29’s Kelly Rule over the phone that his son broke his fibula, and has a lot of bruises and burns from the attack, especially on his face, but says he’s stable and recovering. He says he is currently surrounded at the hospital by his family and friends.
Most of all, he says his son is devastated he lost his best friend, Martin "Tiger" Bech, 28, who was "like a brother" to him. The pair lived and worked together in New York City.
In an updated statement from Lansdale Catholic High School, the president said, "Our prayers go out to Ryan and the Quigley family, as well as to the family of Tiger Bech. Ryan is a beloved member of the Lansdale Catholic Class of 2016. In high school, Ryan was a star on the football field who was named the 2A Most Valuable Player of the Philadelphia Catholic League two years in a row, and he was equally as strong in the classroom, which is why he was able to be so successful at Princeton. Ryan's favorite high school memory was partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and helping a little boy's wish come true, which is just a testament to his character. Ryan is one of those young people that makes you incredibly proud to call him one of your own, and the collective hearts of our close-knit high school community are hurting for him and his family as we pray for his healing."
A GoFundMe campaign to support Quigley's recovery and honor Bech's memory quickly raised close to $80k.
"Ryan is a fighter, and his loved ones are rallying around him as he faces this challenge," fundraiser organizers Jack Kelly and Dom Gambone wrote. "In the same spirit, we want to honor Tiger’s memory by easing the burden on his family."
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Who is Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar? Suspect in deadly New Orleans truck attack
Law enforcement has identified the driver who killed at least 15 people and injured dozens in New Orleans as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.
Among the 15 killed in the attack were an 18-year-old girl with aspirations of being a nurse, a single mother, and a father of two. The FBI said the driver of the pickup truck was 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas.
New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was "hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did" and he tried "to run over as many people as he could."