The whereabouts of Elliott Wilkinson, 40, was one of the 14 people killed in New Orleans this week in what federal authorities were investigating as a terrorist attack.
Local homeless advocacy group Unity of Greater New Orleans said Wilkinson was homeless after being released from prison, but began looking for an apartment. And according to his brother Cecil Wilkinson, he's back in one of his favorite places.
“That's where he wanted to be when he left home, so that's where he went,” the brother said. “He loved the city.”
Early on New Year's Day, a Texas man drove his pickup truck into the city's French Quarter. There, a large crowd had gathered along Bourbon Street to celebrate. Fourteen people were killed and dozens more were injured, including two police officers who were wounded in the gunfight, and the driver was killed.
Bourbon Street's bars, live music, and crowds draw a lively yet diverse crowd of tourists, street performers, homeless people, and anyone else trying their luck. Young people gathered together on holiday nights. Many of the victims were in their teens and 20s.
On Friday night, the city released the names of 12 of the 14 victims. All died from blunt force injuries, according to an emailed release. The British national's name was not released at the request of his family. The other person has not yet been identified.
When their names were revealed this week, friends and family mourned the end of a promising future. Some had just started college or started new jobs. On Friday, people gathered near flowers and candles placed along the path the truck took. President Biden was scheduled to visit on Monday and meet with the families of the victims and those affected.
Among the victims was Drew Dauphin, 26, who had come to the city from Alabama with his brother Matthew. They went to a concert and ate pizza and then got separated. Hubert Gautrot, 21, told his family he was planning to watch fireworks along the river. That morning, they located his cell phone and found it had been moved to Bourbon Street.
Matthew Tenedrio, 25, was out with friends after having dinner with his parents. He is remembered for his childhood of playing pranks and fighting with Nerf guns with his cousins.
Kareem Badawi and Nikila Cheyenne Dedeaux were just 18 years old. Badawi had recently completed his first semester at the University of Alabama, majoring in mechanical engineering, his father said.
Dedeaux, a native of Gulfport, Michigan, had just graduated from high school this spring and was attending college in New Orleans with the intention of becoming a nurse.
The violence tore families and friends apart. Nicole Perez, 27, had just received a promotion at the deli where she worked. She left behind a 4-year-old son. Two cousins, Reggie Hunter, 37, and Kevin Curry, 38, were in town to celebrate the New Year together. Mr Hunter died and Mr Curry was hospitalized with a broken leg.
Tiger Beck, the late former college football player, remembered his brother Jack in a post on social media. “Always love you brother!”
Others who died included William DiMaio, 25, of New Jersey, the city's medical examiner said. Terrence Kennedy, 63, of New Orleans. and Brandon Taylor, 43, of Harvey, Louisiana.
Cecil Wilkinson said she had wanted to introduce her daughter to Elliott but hadn't had the chance yet.
“We loved each other,” he said. “We always looked out for each other since we were young.”
nicolas vogel burrows Contributed to the report. Kirsten Noyes Contributed to research.
