'Words cannot convey the sorrow': All 14 people killed in New Orleans terrorist attack identified
Kareem Badawi
Kareem Badawi, 18, graduated from the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge and had completed a semester at the University of Alabama before his death. According to a report this week by KHOU, Parker Vidrin, who also attended the Episcopal school, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained from the attack.
On Thursday, WAFB reported that members of the Episcopal community held a prayer service in honor of the 18-year-old victim.
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Jimmy Ott, the father of one of Badawi’s best friends, told the local news outlet that people will remember Badawi as a “smart, popular kid who impacted everyone in a positive way.” Ott’s son played football against Badawi in middle school, according to WAFB, and the two also played as defensive ends during high school.
According to the father, Badawi and his son were as “close as brothers,” revealing that the pair of friends traveled around the world together.
“They were best of friends, college roommates, you know the whole thing, pledge class brothers, you know they told each other they would stand in each other’s wedding, you know the whole bit, but they’re part of a big, big kind of a close-knit group,” Ott said.
“Nobody had anything bad to say about Kareem, you know it’s easy to say that when somebody passes, but no this is true - he’s a sharp, polished kid,” the father of the victim’s friend added.
University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell issued a statement Wednesday in response to the news of Badawi’s death, encouraged the staff and student body to pray for those impacted by the tragedy.
“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans,” the university president wrote Monday. “I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss.”
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
