Crime
Fourth victim in New Orleans car-ramming attack identified as 28-year-old Nicole Perez
Authorities have identified Nicole Perez, a 28-year-old mother from Metairie, Louisiana, as the fourth victim in the tragic New Orleans car-ramming attack that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured dozens more on New Year’s Day.
Perez leaves behind her 4-year-old son, Melo, who is now in the care of close friends.
Perez worked at a deli in Metairie and had recently been promoted to manager, a role she had embraced with dedication and enthusiasm. Her colleagues described her as hardworking, kind, and a source of positivity for everyone around her.
In a heartfelt message shared on a GoFundMe campaign, her friend and employer, Usher-Fall, expressed the grief felt by those who knew Perez:
“It is with sadness that I write this GoFundMe. My friend and manager of our store, Nicole, was killed this morning in the attack on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. She was so beautiful and full of life. Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee.”
The campaign seeks to raise funds to cover Perez’s burial expenses and provide financial support for her son as he transitions into a new living situation.
Friends and coworkers remember Perez as a devoted mother whose life revolved around her son. “She was an incredible person who brought joy to everyone she met,” one coworker shared.
Melo, her young son, was the light of her life. “Everything she did was for Melo. She was so proud of him,” Usher-Fall added.
The tragic loss of Perez has united her community in grief and solidarity. The GoFundMe campaign has already begun to receive donations, with messages of condolence pouring in from friends, coworkers, and strangers alike.
The attack, described as an act of terrorism by law enforcement, has left a deep scar on the city of New Orleans. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims, including Perez’s, are left grappling with an unfathomable loss.
Perez’s friends hope the community will rally to ensure her son’s future. “Nicole gave so much to us. It’s our turn to give back and make sure her son has everything he needs,” Usher-Fall wrote.
Donations for Melo and Nicole Perez’s burial expenses can be made through the GoFundMe campaign, which continues to grow as more people learn about her story.
Perez’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew her and in the future of her beloved son, Melo.
Crime
ICE Tear Gas Canister Strikes Family Vehicle in Minneapolis, Six Children Hurt, Including Infant, Taken to Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Emergency responders and community members reported a distressing incident during ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity in south Minneapolis, involving the use of tear gas and other crowd-control tactics by federal agents and resulting in injuries to several civilians, including children.
According to local witnesses and media reports, after a federal law enforcement operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier in the week, tensions remained high in the surrounding neighborhood.
In one reported episode, residents attempting to leave an area where tear gas was being deployed sought to escape the effects of the chemical agents by entering a vehicle.
As tear gas canisters spread through nearby streets, a family with multiple children, including infants and young minors, was forced to shelter inside their car.
A tear gas canister reportedly landed under or near the vehicle, causing widespread irritation and breathing difficulties for those inside.
Emergency services were called, and some family members — including the children — were taken by ambulance for medical evaluation after experiencing breathing issues.
One infant was reported to have experienced breathing distress and received emergency medical attention.
Reports from bystanders indicated that parents administered first aid at the scene, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for a young child, before paramedics arrived.
Witness accounts describe the situation as chaotic but nonviolent on the part of the civilians, with several families attempting simply to leave the area as federal agents used tear gas and less-lethal munitions.
Those accounts state that no active threat to officers was present at the time the gas was deployed near the family vehicle.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming the specific details of this encounter or whether federal agents intended to target the vehicle.
The Minneapolis Police Department and federal agencies involved in the operation have not publicly corroborated all aspects of the civil accounts, and the situation remains under review by local law enforcement.
Officials continue to investigate multiple related events unfolding in Minneapolis, including other recent uses of force by federal agents.
Local health officials and emergency responders are urging anyone affected by tear gas exposure to seek medical attention.
Community leaders have called for a thorough and transparent review of federal crowd-control tactics and their impact on bystanders, particularly children and other vulnerable individuals.