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Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, brother of TCU WR Jack Bech, killed in Bourbon Street terrorist attack

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•01/01/25•

ChandlerVessels

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V.J. Lovero | USA TODAY Sports

Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was among the 10 people who were killed in a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early New Year’s Day, local news station KLFY reported. He was 28.

Bech is the older brother of former LSU and TCU receiver Jack Bech. He played high school football at St. Thomas More in Lafayette, Louisiana before going on to play for the Tigers. He graduated from Princeton in 2021 with a degree in finance and worked as a trader at Seaport Global, a New York brokerage firm, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Jack Bech responded to the news on X with a heartfelt post in tribute to his brother.

“Love you always brother !” he wrote. “You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”

The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day as celebrations from the previous evening were wrapping up. A vehicle drove into a crowd near Canal and Bourbon Street, striking several people.

Tiger Bech was taken to the hospital and kept on life support until his family was able to come see him one last time.

In addition to the 10 people who died, 35 others are reported to have suffered injuries as a result of the attack.

Bech, who played wide receiver, quarterback, punt returner and defensive back at St. Thomas, earning earned all-state honors and was a member of the All-Acadiana Regional and All-District First Team as a senior. He also also lettered in lacrosse and track, leading the lacrosse team to a state title and reaching three state semifinals.

FBI releases statement on Bourbon Street terrorism attack, ongoing investigation

The FBI has released a statement on the terrorism attack that took place on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. An investigation is ongoing but some information has been released regarding the situation, explaining what happened and releasing the suspect’s name.

“Today, at approximately 3:15 a.m. CST, an individual drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing at least 10 and injuring dozens of others,” the FBI’s statement said. “After hitting the crowd, he exited the vehicle and fired upon local law enforcement. Law enforcement returned fire, and the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two law enforcement officers were injured and transported to a local hospital. 

“The subject has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas. He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which appears to have been rented, and we are working to confirm how the subject came into possession of the vehicle.

“An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.