Lafayette Mourns Loss of Former STM Football Player Tiger Bech in New Orleans Terror Attack

The Lafayette community is heartbroken after the tragic loss of one of its own, Tiger Bech, a former standout athlete from St. Thomas More Catholic High School (STM). Bech, 28, was among the reported 15 victims killed in a terror attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. The attack left at least 35 others injured, including visitors and locals.

Bech, a multi-sport athlete at STM, earned all-state honors in football and helped lead the school’s lacrosse team to a state championship. After graduating in 2015, he went on to play football at Princeton University, where he earned a degree in finance. Most recently, Bech worked as a trader at Seaport Global in New York, according to a report from KLFY.

His younger brother, Jack Bech, a former STM and LSU football player now at TCU, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media: “Love you always brother! You inspired me every day. Now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”

The attack also claimed the lives of Reggie Hunter, a 37-year-old father of two from Baton Rouge, and an 18-year-old woman from Mississippi, whose mother shared her grief on social media.

Additionally, a University of Georgia student and two Israeli nationals were among the injured.

Kim Broussard, STM’s athletic director, expressed sorrow for the loss of a beloved alumnus: “Tiger was an exceptional athlete and an even better person. Our prayers are with the Bech family and all the families affected by this tragedy.”

As authorities work to investigate this heinous act, the Lafayette community continues to pray for the victims and their families. Our hearts go out to the Bech family and all those grieving in the wake of this tragic incident.

We will update this story as more details are confirmed.