Crime
Seventh victim of New Orleans car-ramming attack identified as 18-year-old Kareem Badawi
The seventh victim is 18-year-old Kareem Badawi, a freshman at the University of Alabama.
Kareem had recently graduated from the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, where he was described as a bright and promising young man with a future full of potential.
Officials from the Episcopal School expressed their condolences, calling Kareem’s death a tragic loss for their school community and the world at large.
The University of Alabama confirmed that one of its students, Kareem Badawi, was among the victims of the tragic terrorist attack that unfolded in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, University President Stuart R. Bell expressed his condolences:
“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans. I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss.”
Badawi, a freshman at the university, was a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him. He graduated in 2024 from the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, where he had been a valued member of the school community.
The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge also issued a statement, announcing plans to honor both Badawi and another graduate, Parker Vidrine, who was injured in the attack. The school will hold an evening prayer session on Thursday to remember Badawi and to support Vidrine’s recovery.
“This is a time for our community to come together to mourn the loss of Kareem and to pray for Parker’s healing,” said a school spokesperson.
Both Badawi and Vidrine were members of the school’s Class of 2024, and their teachers and classmates recall them as exceptional individuals who left a lasting impact on their community.
As more victims are identified, the New Orleans community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating attack, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured dozens more. Families, friends, and communities are mourning the loss of these individuals whose lives were cut short.
Authorities continue their investigation, working to piece together the events of the attack and to support the grieving families. Further details on the victims and their stories are expected to emerge in the coming days.
A University of Georgia student remains in critical condition, and two Israeli citizens were among the injured, according to statements from their respective institutions and governments.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack and the suspect’s potential affiliations with terrorist organizations. This tragedy has cast a somber shadow over what should have been a joyous celebration, as families and communities come to terms with their 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.