In the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2025, the vibrant celebrations on Bourbon Street in New Orleans were shattered by a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio. A male, Tenedorio was among the 15 victims killed in what authorities have described as a terror attack. He had been celebrating the new year with friends when the tragic events unfolded.
Originally from Mineola, New York, Matthew had moved to the New Orleans area and was working
as an audiovisual technician for the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center. Described by his family as bright, loving, and the life of every room, his smile and laugh were considered his trademark. He was the youngest of three boys and a cherished uncle to four nieces and nephews. His parents, who he had dinner with just hours before the attack, expressed their nervousness about his New Year's Eve plans and had asked him to text them when he got home, a message that would never arrive.
The attack was carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who used a truck to drive down the crowded street. Jabbar was later killed in a shootout with police. In the chaos of the attack, Matthew became separated from his friends. While it was initially reported that Matthew was fatally shot during the incident, his family has received conflicting information and has publicly sought answers regarding the precise cause of his death. Eyewitnesses who were with Matthew reportedly stated that he was not hit by the truck. An examination of his body by a nurse who is a friend of the family suggested a gunshot wound to his femoral artery, but the family remains uncertain about the full circumstances of his death.
The tragic loss of Matthew Tenedorio has left his family and friends heartbroken as they remember a young man full of life and passion. His loved ones are left to grapple with the devastating consequences of a violent act that turned a night of celebration into one of profound sorrow and unanswered questions.
