Nicole Perez GoFundMe raises over $30,000 as Metairie mom identified as victim in New Orleans truck attack 

Nicole Perez, a 27-year-old Metairie mother, was slain on New Year's Day in what has since been dubbed a terrorist attack. A mother to a 4-year-old son, Perez was killed when the driver of a pickup truck bulldozed into the masses on Bourbon Street before opening fire. At least 15 lives were claimed on the day and dozens were injured.

Per NOLA, Nicole Perez was just about to shift into a new apartment with her son, whom she was teaching to read and write, and she had just been made manager at the deli where she worked. Kimberly Usher, the owner of Kimmy's Deli at Lakeway, told the outlet:

"She was just out with her friends last night, and this happened."

Everything to know about Nicole Perez as she leaves her son behind

At the time of writing, officials have yet to release all the victims' names, though two men from Baton Rouge and a former football player from Lafayette have since been identified, in addition to an 18-year-old girl from Mississippi.

Nicole Perez was reportedly going through a tough time recently, though her son kept her motivated. She would allegedly walk to work at 5:30 a.m. to make it on time.

“She was a good mom,” said Usher. “She learned quickly. She just wanted to be successful.” She added, "She was just getting a new apartment, so she and her son were about to start their new life. And now that's no more."

In the wake of Nicole Perez's demise, a GoFundMe has been launched to support the financial strain on her surviving family members. Kimberly Usher has initiated the GoFundMe, and at the time of writing, about $31,000 has been raised out of the $50,000 goal. With over 35% to go, donations have come in from over 750 patrons. Should you wish to donate, you can click on this link.

Read the full statement on her GoFundMe page below:

"It is with sadness that I write this GoFundMe. My friend and my 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. I’m hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation. If you can help, please do. If not, just pray. Pray for all the victims and their families and friends."

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Reportedly, the assailant has since been identified as 42-year-old US Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden revealed that the FBI has since happened upon several videos uploaded on Jabbar's social media just hours before the attack, where he can be seen expressing his desire to kill and join ISIS.

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