Crime
37-year-old Reggie Hunter killed in New Orleans car-ramming attack
Reggie Hunter, a 37-year-old father of two from Baton Rouge, was among the 10 victims tragically killed in the suspected terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Family members remembered him as a devoted father, a hardworking professional, and a cherished member of his community.
Hunter had just finished his work shift when he decided, on a whim, to head to New Orleans with his cousin to celebrate the new year and anticipate the Sugar Bowl.
“He came in from work and said, ‘Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s go to the city,’” recalled his first cousin, Shirell Jackson. “It was just something so simple—‘Hey, cuz, wanna ride me to the city?’”
The celebration turned to horror when a truck, driven at high speed, plowed into the crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m.
Hunter was struck and succumbed to his injuries, Jackson confirmed. His cousin, who was also hit, is among the 35 injured survivors and is currently hospitalized with severe internal injuries.
Hunter, born in California, spent most of his life in Baton Rouge and Independence, Louisiana. For the past six years, he worked as a warehouse manager, a role he approached with diligence and pride.
As a member of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Hunter had been looking forward to attending their ball, a highlight of his social calendar.
He was also deeply proud of his family, especially his 12-year-old son, whose achievements in the STEM field filled him with pride, and his 18-month-old son, the joy of his life.
Hunter’s family described him as a blend of charm and determination, a “pretty boy” who enjoyed staying active and spending time with loved ones. “He wanted to be in the gym with his homeboys and cousins,” Jackson said. “And he’d say, ‘I’m getting swole.’ I’d tease him, saying, ‘Where? You’re so little.’”
The family has faced tragedy before; Hunter’s mother was murdered in 2016. Jackson shared that this latest loss has reopened old wounds. “It’s hard,” she said. “It’s bringing back a lot.”
Hunter’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and resilience. His family and friends will remember him not only for his strength and ambition but also for his unwavering dedication to his children, his passion for fitness, and his zest for life.
As the community mourns, officials continue to investigate the attack that claimed his life, along with the lives of nine others. The family is holding onto cherished memories as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.