Bourbon Street attack survivor helps to honor the 14 victims

NEW ORLEANS (InvestigateTV) – For a growing number of Americans, mass violence is no longer unimaginable as they watch it play out in front of their eyes, whether in person or through a screen.

Experts say these events can have long-lasting psychological impacts for survivors and witnesses.

“It can produce post-traumatic stress disorder if you think you’re gonna die,” said Dr. Jillian Peterson, a professor at Hamline University. “It can make you fearful in spaces. It can, and those impacts can last for decades.”

If you’re having disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a move, especially if they’re severe, the Mayo Clinic suggests talking to your doctor.

Other signs of emotional distress can include feeling numb, feeling guilty but not sure why, felling like you have to keep busy, and excessive use of drugs and alcohol.

One year after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street changed his life, Army combat veteran Adam Coste is walking without assistance and working to ensure the 14 victims are never forgotten.

Coste was injured when a truck driven by a terrorist struck him during his walk home after New Year celebrations in 2025. The attack killed 14 people and injured dozens more.

“I’m doing a lot better, actually. You know, it’s been a tough year, but a lot of perseverance,” Coste said.

In March 2025, he was just beginning physical therapy and learning to walk again.

A year later, he no longer needs a brace and has returned to full-time work at the National World War II Museum.

“I think just resilience, being surrounded by strong people. You know, obviously, my 11 years in the military helped me with that a lot… it was a very challenging lifestyle. But I think the lessons that I learned as a person in the military helped me to get through this tragedy,” Coste said.

Coste works as a digital historian at the museum, where he has been employed since 2022. He uses his military knowledge to help visitors understand World War II.

“And really, as a combat veteran, it helps me to contextualize to a lot of, you know, the military folks or the younger generation,” he said.

Governor Jeff Landry appointed Coste to the Bourbon Street Terror Attack Memorial Commission, tasked with honoring the 14 people killed in the attack.

“And our task there is to pay homage to the 14 that were killed that fateful day,” Coste said.

The work is difficult for Coste, who has gotten to know the victims’ families.

“It’s very difficult, especially once you’ve, you know, I’ve gotten to know all the families very well. And I have personally been down there actually to see that. But I will say that, you know, when all this is said and done, the big thing is that we remember those 14 and what they mean to this community here in New Orleans,” he said.

At the one-year anniversary service, Coste received a special request from the family of victim Bill DiMaio.

“But really to be there for the families, you know, the family of Bill DiMaio asked me to hold the candle for their son because they couldn’t make it,” Coste said.

For Coste, attending the anniversary service was about showing that terrorists cannot break the American way of life.

“I’ve mentioned to you this before, but I think that the whole purpose is we can’t allow terrorists to change our American way of life. And I felt that that was the biggest thing that we could do to pay homage to those that just passed and kind of be there in that spot at that time on the one-year anniversary,” he said.

Coste credits his faith, support system and taking things one day at a time for his recovery.

“I would say, faith is very important to me. That kept me going in a lot of ways. I would say having a good support group around you, whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, work colleagues,” he said.…Read more by Lauren McCoy, InvestigateTV staff