Another Lafayette Family Loses Member After New Orleans Terrorist Attack
Another family has received a phone call they hoped would not come. Lafayette resident Cecil Wilkinson says he received a call yesterday morning from the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office notifying him that his brother was one of the victims in this week's deadly attack in New Orleans.
Cecil Wilkinson says he received the call this morning that his younger brother was one of the victims in this horrific incident. He said that he had notified his immediate family members that Elliot was gone.
Fifteen people died, and dozens of others were injured.
It was around 3:15 Wednesday morning when Shamsud-din Jabbar drove down Canal Street, took a right, and drove up on the sidewalk when he got to Bourbon Street and sped down the street, killing victims in his path. The truck he was driving was only stopped when it slammed into a crane that was in the middle of the road, at which time Jabbar came out of the truck shooting at people on the street. He fired on and shot two police officers, and they returned fire, killing Jabbar.
Brother Says He Was Not Expecting This Call
According to Cecil, the last time he had contact with his brother, Elliot Wilkinson, was via text message in September of last year. He says when he saw the 504 area code pop up on his phone, he thought he would be talking to his brother, but instead, it was a representative for the Orleans Coroner's Office.
Cecil says Elliot was his younger brother, and they were both born in Slidell. Cecil says eventually, he decided to make a life in Lafayette after attending Northside High School. He says his brother Elliot was living in New Orleans. Cecil says Elliot's life was complicated by mental health issues.
Brother Says Contact With His Brother Had Been Difficult
Wilkinson says sometimes contact with his brother could be difficult, and the last time they spoke via telephone was about six months ago. Cecil says he believes he was listed as Elliot's next of kin.
He says his mother and sister are devastated by the news.
Wilkinson says he does not have much information about the manner of his brother's death, and he says, "All I want now is for my brother to be at peace, and at least he is at peace."
Elliot leaves behind a daughter, mother, siblings, and friends.
Elliot's friends and family have been reacting to the news on Facebook today with sadness and shock. His godmother, Barbara Frierson, says Elliot spent much time with her. She says he was so sweet and awesome and a good guy with a big heart.
His sister Rachel says she wants people to know they are a family who loved him.
