A father and son from Lakeway, Texas, were killed when a large truck crashed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, Thursday night.
Sean Copeland, 51, and his son Brodie Copeland, 11, are among the 84 people killed in the apparent terror attack, which President Obama called “horrific.”
“We are heartbroken and in shock over the loss of Brodie Copeland, an amazing son and brother who lit up our lives, and Sean Copeland, a wonderful husband and father,” the family said in a statement. “They are so loved.”
According to Alyssa Weaver, the elder Copeland’s niece, they were in Nice on a family vacation.
Weaver tweeted, “I am asking for prayers for my family, due to the tragedy in Nice, France I lost my uncle Sean and my 11 year old cousin Brodie I ask for prayers for my aunt Kim and my two other cousins Maegan and Austin during this tough time and prayers for my family’s safe trip back home #CopelandStrong”
There was an outpouring of support for the two and their family on social media, including from the baseball youth league Brodie Copeland played in and Sean Copeland coached.
There is no word on the status of the rest of the Copeland family currently in Nice.
The State Department had also confirmed that two Americans were killed in the attack, but did not release their names.
“We are aware that two U.S. citizens were killed in the attack. We are working with local authorities to determine if other U.S. citizens were injured in the event,” an early morning statement said. “We strongly urge U.S. citizens in Nice to be in direct contact with your family members in the United States and elsewhere to advise them of your safety.”
No terror group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Just before 4 a.m. local time, French President Francois Hollande raised the number of dead to 84, and said 18 others were in critical condition. At least 50 to 100 others were wounded. Children are among those dead and injured.
The attack happened shortly after Bastille Day fireworks concluded Thursday night.
One eyewitness described to ABC what he saw.
“I saw a huge truck, crushing over people. It was running over people. Some people were trying to get out the way. Some people were in shock. I started to run away. I was in shock. I couldn’t even think. I was running. There was a bench in front of me, so I had to jump over it, so I jumped over it and fell over on a woman.”
“It was still crushing people on its way as it went a little farther,” he said, adding he couldn’t stomach watching the attack.
The driver of the truck was shot dead after driving for approximately a mile through the crowd on a closed-off street. The truck was reported to have a huge cache of guns and grenades. The driver has not yet been publicly identified by authorities.
