The night began just like so many others on Bourbon Street, filled with the spirit of celebration. As temperatures lingered in the mid-50s (10-15 Celsius) hours after the New Year rolled in, the lively open-air festivities along New Orleans’ iconic street attracted locals and visitors alike, all eager to join in the jubilant atmosphere.

After indulging in a late-night pizza, a man from Pennsylvania, who traveled over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) with his family to experience the city, found his way back into the rhythm of music and revelry. Meanwhile, two former football teammates from Princeton University were mingling with the crowd, one sharing the easygoing vibe of the city with the other. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, who had spent years working in its bustling restaurant scene, also made his way to Bourbon Street, continuing his tradition of observing the nightly parade of humanity that unfolded there.

However, the festive vibe soon turned tragic when an enraged Army veteran behind the wheel of a speeding pickup truck transformed this joyous night into a horrific scene. “My brother just wanted to show his friend the joy that New Orleans brings, especially on a day like New Year’s, filled with smiles and fun,” said Jack Bech, whose brother Tiger Bech was one of the victims. “No one expected that the night would end like this.”

In the aftermath of the rampage, which left 14 people dead and many others injured, families came to grips with the cruel twist of fate that led their loved ones to Bourbon Street at that fateful moment. The victims had simply been joining the countless others who had flocked to the area over the years without a worry in the world.

Bourbon Street, originally named Rue Bourbon, has been a hotspot for nightlife since shortly after the Civil War and became more inclusive with the establishment of dinner clubs in the 1920s that attracted couples. Over the decades, the number of nighttime establishments has skyrocketed, making the street’s main attraction the very visitors who come to enjoy its charms.

Richard Campanella, an author and professor at Tulane University, noted that with the rise of bars and clubs that began selling drinks on the streets from the late 1960s, the visitors turned the street itself into the spectacle. For Campanella’s research on Bourbon Street, he once counted over 100 partygoers passing by each minute and found that a significant majority were from out of state, showing just how many people were drawn to this vibrant location.

This bustling street life is what ultimately attracted so many of those caught in the attack, turning Bourbon into a tragic target. Monisha James, who lost her 63-year-old uncle, shared how he often visited his favorite spots on the street, making connections with strangers to enjoy his retirement. That night, wearing festive glasses, Terrence Kennedy set out on his bike to join in the celebrations.

Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audiovisual technician, celebrated New Year’s Eve with his family but was later killed in the attack despite his mother’s attempts to dissuade him from going out due to safety concerns. Jeremi Sensky, 51, was also caught in the chaos after feeling too cold while grabbing pizza shortly after 3 a.m., and he was hit by the truck, suffering serious injuries but managing to survive.

Meanwhile, Tiger Bech was reveling in the atmosphere with his Princeton friend Ryan Quigley when tragedy struck. Bech was killed, and Quigley sustained severe injuries. Bech’s family reached him in the hospital before he passed, providing a heart-wrenching goodbye.

The night also claimed the life of 18-year-old Nikyra Dedaux, who had arrived from Gulfport, Mississippi, to enjoy her first experience on Bourbon Street. Her friend Zion Parsons witnessed the chaos; the panic and horror left him shaken as he described the scene as chaos reminiscent of a war zone.

As the news of the incident spread, Belal Badawi raced to New Orleans in a desperate search for his son Kareem, who had been celebrating with friends. Tragically, after waiting for hours at the hospital, he received the news he had been dreading—the confirmation of his son’s death on a street meant for celebration.