Two Americans from Lakeway, Texas, were killed in Nice, France, when a truck struck a crowd celebrating Bastille Day there.
Sean Copeland, 51, and his son Brodie Copeland, 11, are among the at least 84 people killed in the apparent terrorist attack.
“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, the Statesman reported. “They are so loved.”
The Copelands were on a family vacation that had taken them from Pamplona to Barcelona in Spain and then to the French Riviera city of Nice, Jess Davis, a family friend and representative, told the Statesman.
On Twitter, family member Heather Copeland wrote of her heartbreak at the tragedy.
“I don’t even know how to put this in words,” she wrote. “Today was a very tradgic [sic] day for my family.”
Another family member, Haley Copeland, wrote in a Facebook post that the Copeland family was on vacation in Europe celebrating a birthday.
“This is an extremely difficult time for my family and anyone who knows Sean and Brodie Copeland,” she wrote. “Losing a loved one is hard no matter the circumstances but losing a loved one in such a tragic and unexpected way is unbearable. Prayers are much appreciated.”
Brodie Copeland was a baseball player, and the Hill Country Baseball Club posted a photo of him on Facebook. The photo was sent to the club earlier on Thursday, according to the Facebook post.
“Nobody deserves this type of fate, especially not such a wonderful family,” the post reads in part. “You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. Rest in peace, Brodie and Sean, you will be remembered by many.”
The Pastime Training Center, where Brodie played baseball, also posted a photo of him.
“Two of the greatest men. We will miss you #8. You will be missed but we know you were needed for bigger and better things,” wrote Bill Bishop in a comment on the Facebook post.
(c) 2016, The Washington Post · Mary Hui
{Matzav.com}
May their blood be avenged!
Very sad that so many innocents, especially little kids whose lives were just beginning, were murdered just to satisfy the blood lust of these perverse killers.