Nice attack: American father and son named as first victims of Bastille Day terror attack

Police officers stand guard near the truck after it crashed into the crowd during the Bastille 

Day celebrations in Nice yesterday night 

A father and son, who were on a ‘dream holiday’ in the Riviera, are the first victims to be

 named in the Bastille Day massacre, which killed at least 84 people.

Sean Copeland, 51, and Brodie, 11, from Texas, were on holiday in Nice, celebrating a

 birthday when the attack happened last night.

The pair have been confirmed dead by friends and family online.

Sean Copeland was on holiday in the Riviera with his family celebrating a birthday (Picture:

 Facebook)

Sean’s niece, Haley Copeland, wrote on Facebook: ‘By now many of you have heard about

 the 80 people that have died in Nice, France today from a terrorist attack driving through a 

parade

.

‘2 of those 80 people were American and those 2 people happen to be uncle Sean and 11

 year old cousin Brodie. They were there on vacation with my two other cousins and aunt

 celebrating a birthday.

Brodie Copeland, 11, died alongside his father in the attack (Picture: Facebook)

‘This is an extremely difficult time for my family and anyone who knows Sean and Brodie

 Copeland.

‘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. #CopelandFamily

 #nice.’

Atleast 18 people were critically injured in the attack, which happened on the popular

 Promenade des Anglais at about 11pm local time on Thursday.

The driver, who has now been identified as a 31-year-old French-Tunisian who lived in the

 city, drove a lorry for hundreds of metres, directly into spectators watching fireworks.

#PrayForNice #PrayersForFrance pic.twitter.com/NEh2N4yRT2

— heather copeland (@_hcopeland) July 15, 2016

Friends of the family paid tribute to the father and son on Facebook following their deaths on

 Thursday night.

Victor Flores wrote: ‘I’m in complete shock! Some of the best people I’ve had the privilege to

 know. You will definitely be missed Sean and Brodie. 

‘Kim, I do not have the words nor know what you are going through. I’m truly sorry for your

 loss. On behalf of Gio and the rest of my family, we love you!’

The family were on a ‘dream holiday’ in the Riviera (Picture: Facebook)

At least 84 people were killed in the attack (Picture: Matrixpictures.co.uk)

Forensics officers and policemen look for evidence in a truck on the Promenade des 

Anglais seafront (Picture: AFP)

Heather Copeland, another niece, shared pictures of the father and son on Twitter and

 wrote: ‘I don’t even know how to put this in words.’

‘Please keep my family and all the other family’s affected by the tragic event that occurred

 tonight in your prayers. #PrayForNice #PrayersForFrance.’

Joshua Sanders wrote: ‘Just terrible news. Kim and family are in our prayers. Brodie was

 such a lovely young man, and Sean an equally great guy.’

Terror in France in 2016

Valence: A man rammed his car twice into 4 soldiers protecting a mosque in 

Valence. He said he wanted to kill troops and jihadi propaganda images were 

found on his computer

Paris: A jihadist wearing a fake explosive belt attacked police officers in the

 Goutte d’Or district in Paris with a meat cleaver, while shouting “Allahu

 Akbar”. He was shot dead and one policeman receiving injuries. The ISIS flag

 and a clearly written claim in Arabic, were found on the attacker.

Magnaville: A police officer and his wife, a police secretary, were stabbed to

 death in their home in Magnanville by a jihadist. ISIS claimed responsibility

 for the attack.

Nice: Terrorists used a truck to run over people celebrating the 2016 Bastille 

Day.

#God have mercy on us