The parents of Matthew Tenedorio learned of their son’s death in a tragic attack in New Orleans after they visited the morgue in hopes of identifying him.
Matthew, 25, was one of the 15 people who died during an attack authorities say was an act of terrorism, the FBI has said.
Highlights
- Matthew Tenedorio was among the 15 victims of a New Year’s Day car ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
- Cathy and Louis last saw their son Matthew at dinner on New Year’s Eve before he departed for a night out with friends.
- He grew up with his siblings Jonathon and Jeremy Tenedorio.
The attacker, who has since been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, used his truck to barrel down Bourbon Street in the city’s popular French Quarter around 3 a.m. on Wednesday before he was killed in a police shootout.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, had an ISIS flag in the truck he used in the attack.
Authorities Jabbar pledged his allegiance to ISIS in social media videos shortly before the attack and had joined the terrorist group before the summer of 2024.
On Thursday morning, the bureau said Jabbar is believed to have acted alone.
Matthew was an ASM New Orleans team member who worked in the video production department at Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center. ASM stated his passing,
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that took so many innocent lives in our city yesterday morning. One of those lives taken too early was 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio an ASM New Orleans team member who worked in the video production department at Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center. Matthew had a bright future and was able to learn and work alongside his father Louis Tenedorio, a dedicated team member in our video production department for 11-years. “Our hearts, prayers, and support go out to the Tenedorio family and to all those lives impacted by this act of terrorism. As a city, state, and region we shall persevere through this senseless tragedy driven by the memory of those like Matthew Tenedorio, and grateful to the NOPD officers and first responders whose actions kept more lives from being taken.”
ASM
However, a GoFundMe was also created to help with his funeral costs.
Matthew Tenedorio Spent A Joyful Evening With His Parents Hour Before The Chaos
ASM New Orleans team member Matthew Tenedorio was born in 1999 at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola to his father, Louis Tenedorio, and his mother, Cathy Tenedorio.
He lived in Huntington until he was about 10 and moved to New Orleans in 2003. His father works as a supervisor at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Matthew also shared a strong bond with his grandfather, Edward, and grandmother, Jane Colgan.
Matthew grew up with his siblings, Jonathon and Jeremy, and his beloved niece and nephews, Dalila, Dante, Leo, and Felix.
As Matthew lost his life during the New Orleans attack, his mother Cathy keeps playing her youngest son’s life over and over in her mind.
Cathy said that only hours before the chaos ensued in Bourbon, Matthew spent a joyous evening, dined with the whole family in Slidell, and went out with friends. She added,
“It was just a very fun time,” “Relaxing, loving on each other, and then around 930 they said ‘Oh we’re going to head off to New Orleans.”
Cathy Tenedorio
She said all the family members hugged Matthew and said,
“A big I love you, and we’ll talk to you tomorro. Pleasee text me when you get home.”
Cathy described her son as the “life of the room” whose warmth and humor were treasured by his friend.”
The Tenedorios started contacting their son Wednesday morning, attempting to piece together his last steps by asking his friends.
They described a scene of chaos and massacre that caused the group to split up. By the time the shooting stopped, they couldn’t find Matthew, his friends said. Louis said,
“By noon, I had a good idea that something terrible happened to my son,”
Louis Tenedorio
Louis and Cathy recounted calling hospitals and reporting their son missing and then eventually going to a family reunification center at the University Medical Center hospital.
Cathy witnessed other parents screaming and crying as she waited to learn what had happened to her son.
She says all left now are memories of a reliable young man who shared a joy for life.
Matthew’s friends and close ones have sent their heartfelt condolences to his family to stay strong in this challenging time.
In a GoFundMe set up by Matthew’s cousins, he is remembered as “always the one to lighten the mood, able to laugh off life’s challenges and spread positivity wherever he went.”
Additional Information
- Matthew’s family said they are facing additional financial hardship due to his mother’s recent battle with cancer.
- He was a graduate of Pearl River Central High School in Carriere.
- Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves identified Matthew as one of the fifteen fatalities in the Wednesday attack.
