25-year-old Matthew Tenedório was second generation of Portuguese emigrés
One of the victims of the terror attack that left at least 14 dead over New Year in New Orleans was a 25-year-old man of Portuguese descent.
The Jornal Luso-Americano has published a tribute to Matthew Tenedório who was the grandson of Portuguese-born João and Dalila Tenedório, from Vila Nova de Cerveira, district of Viana do Castelo.
Matthew was shot by the terrorist, who after running over dozens also shot at others, before being shot dead by police.
According to Jornal Luso-Americano, Matthew had been at a dinner to celebrate New Year’s Eve with his parents and decided to go with friends to Bourbon Street, where the attack happened.
Matthew, like his father, Lou, was an audiovisual technician at the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, an arena in downtown New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints football team has extended its condolences, saying Matthew was a “valuable member” of the video production team.
“Matthew was young, talented and had a bright future, helping to produce quality content for both the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans (basketball),” the team writes.
By his family, he has been described as a “laid-back spirit” with “infectious laughter” who brought joy to those around him.
The Bourbon Street attack was the deadliest IS-inspired attack on U.S. soil in several years – revealing what federal authorities have warned is a resurgent threat from international terrorism.
It also comes as the FBI and other law enforcement agencies prepare for a change in leadership — and likely policy changes — following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
The FBI meantime has said it is confident the 42-year-old perpetrator – who was a Muslim inspired by ISIS- was acting alone.
Compounding the tragedy for the Tenedório family is the fact that they are already struggling with a medical debt due to Matthew’s mother’s recent batrtle with cancer.
They have set up a GoFundMe appeal for help with funeral expenses, which they say they cannot cover on their own.
“Your generous contributions will allow us to provide him with the dignified farewell he deserves and ease the financial burden on his family during this heartbreaking time”, reads the text.
Source material: LUSA/ Jornal Luso Americano/ GoFundMe
