PICAYUNE, Miss. (WDAM) – At least 14 people died, and dozens of people were hurt after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early New Year’s morning.
One of the victims has been identified as Pearl River Central High School graduate, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio.
As we know, the suspect crashed through crowds of people in a truck and then got out and started shooting.
Tenedorio was able to dodge the truck, but, unfortunately, he was one of the victims who was hit by gunfire.
“My life will never, never ever be the same,” said Matthew Tenedorio’s mother, Cathy.
Matthew Tenedorio worked as an audio-visual technician in the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center.
Cathy Tenedorio said her son worked alongside his father.
“He was so happy to work there, and you know, a young guy working in NBA and NFL events and concerts and just a wonderful job,” said Cathy Tenedorio. “He just loved, loved his job.”
His mom said she saw Matthew Tenedorio hours before the incident, as their family gathered for dinner earlier on New Year’s Eve night.
“We had the most wonderful New Year’s Eve before he went into New Orleans on his fateful journey,” said Cathy Tenedorio. “We did fireworks, had a great time, laughing, and then all of a sudden, here he is… and he said, ‘Mom, we’re going into the Quarter.’”
As Matthew Tenedorio headed out the door that night, his mom said she warned him to be careful like she always did.
But loved ones said Matthew Tenedorio was not afraid to live his life.
“And we tried to say, you know, please just stay local,” Cathy Tenedorio said. “‘Don’t go, don’t go in the Quarter tonight. t’s a lot of people there, it’s not safe.’
“But, he didn’t have any fear of anything.”
After the New Year’s Day tragedy, Cathy Tenedorio said she knows there are 13 other families feeling the same pain, so, she said she wanted to share a message.
“We’re grieving with everyone, with all the other people that lost all their loved ones,” said Cathy Tenedorio. “We’re no different. We’re no better. You know, we just…it’s horrible.
“There’s nothing in life that prepares you for that.”
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