Two Americans were among the at least 84 killed in Nice, France, Thursday night, when a truck drove through a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day as a suspected terrorist attack.
Sean Copeland, 51, and his son Brodie, 11, from Lakeway, Tex. were killed, family members confirmed to the Austin American-Statesman. The Copelands had traveled to Nice during a family vacation that started in the Spanish cities of Pamplona and Barcelona, the paper reported. Cousin Haley Copeland wrote on Facebook that they had been traveling with her two other cousins and an aunt to celebrate a birthday, but did not mention if they were also hurt.
“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 provided to the Statesman. “They are so loved.”
Jess Davis, a friend of the family, told the Statesman that Sean Copeland worked for Lexmark Corporation. Brodie Copeland played youth baseball, according to a Facebook post from a local league.
Family members also mourned their loss online Thursday night.