The search was on for Elliot Wilkinson, a 40-year-old man who was one of 14 people killed in New Orleans this week in what federal authorities are investigating as a terrorist attack.
According to Unity of Greater New Orleans, a local homeless outreach group, Mr. Wilkinson had been released from prison and was homeless, but had begun looking for an apartment. And according to his brother, Cecil Wilkinson, he was back in one of his favorite places.
“That’s where he wanted to go, when he got out, that’s where he went,” the brother said. “He loved that town.”
In the early hours of the New Year, a man from Texas drove a pickup into the city’s French Quarter, where a crowd of people had gathered on Bourbon Street to celebrate. Fourteen people were killed, including two police officers, and dozens more were injured during the shootout, which resulted in the death of the driver.
Bourbon Street’s bars, live music and crowds attract a vibrant but diverse mix of people down on their luck, including tourists, bus drivers and homeless people. On holiday nights, it attracted a young crowd. Many of the victims were in their teens and twenties.
On Friday evening the city released the names of 12 of the 14 victims. All died from blunt force injuries, according to the emailed release. The thirteenth victim was identified by the Metropolitan Police in London as a British citizen: Edward Pettyfer, aged 31. One person had not yet been identified.
As their names were revealed this week, friends and families mourned promising futures cut short. Some had just started college or a new job. On Friday, people gathered near flowers and candles arranged on the path along which the truck passed. President Biden was planning to visit on Monday and meet with the families of the victims and other affected people.
The victims included 26-year-old Drew Dauphin, who visited the city from Alabama with his younger brother Matthew. They parted ways after going to a concert and getting some pizza. Hubert Gauthreux, 21, had planned to watch fireworks from the riverbank, he told his family. That morning they checked the location of his phone, and saw that he had moved to Bourbon Street.
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, had gone out with friends after having dinner with his parents. He was fondly remembered for joking around with his cousins in his childhood, playing pranks and fighting with Nerf guns.
Kareem Badawi and Ni’Qyra Cheyenne Dedeaux were just 18 years old. Mr. Badawi recently completed his first semester at the University of Alabama, where he majored in mechanical engineering, according to his father.
Ms. Dedeaux was from Gulfport, Miss. She had graduated from high school in the spring and was attending college in New Orleans with plans to become a nurse.
The violence tore apart families and friends. Nicole Perez, 27, recently received a promotion at the deli where she worked. She leaves behind a 4-year-old son. Two cousins, 37-year-old Reggie Hunter and 38-year-old Kevin Curry, came to town to ring in the New Year together. Mr. Hunter died, and Mr. Curry was hospitalized with a broken leg.
Former college football player Tiger Beech, who has died, was remembered by his younger brother Jack in a post on social media: “Love you always brother!”
According to the city coroner, others killed included William DiMaio, 25, of New Jersey; Terrence Kennedy, 63, from New Orleans; and Brandon Taylor, 43, of Harvey, LA.
Cecil Wilkinson said that he had hoped to introduce his daughter to Elliot, but has not yet had the chance.
“We loved each other,” he said. “When we were little, we always took care of each other.”
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs Contributed to the reporting. Kirsten Noyes Contributed to research.