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Sean And Brodie Copeland: Texas Father And Son Killed In Nice Terror Attack Remembered By Friends And Family

By Tara West
Published on: 07:55 PST, Jul 16, 2016

The State Department has confirmed that two American citizens were killed in the Nice, France terror attack that left 84 dead and 202 injured. Sean and Brodie Copeland from Lakeway, Texas, have been confirmed as two of the victims in the Bastille Day attack by family and friends that are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Friends say that the Copeland family was on a dream family vacation for mother Kim Copeland’s birthday. The family trip included parents Sean and Kim along with two adult children Maegan and Austin and young Brodie. The family had spent time in Spain for the running of the bulls before crossing the border into France for Bastille Day celebrations. Unfortunately, the dream vacation would turn tragic as Kim, Austin, and Maegan watched in horror as father Sean and 11-year-old Brody were killed in the horrific attack.

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The Daily Mail reports that two American citizens lost their life in the Bastille Day attacks in Nice, France this week after an Islamic State sympathizer mowed down the crowd of revelers with a large truck before opening fire on the crowds. The attack took place on the busy Nice waterfront as people took to the cordoned off streets to watch the celebratory fireworks. However, as the celebrations began and a band played on stage, a large truck barreled through the crowd sending bodies flying into the air and frightened revelers running for safety.

The Copeland family were on a dream vacation together and had visited Pamplona, Spain for the running of the bulls before crossing the border into France for the Bastille Day celebrations. However, the family vacation would take a horrible turn after the family arrived at the Nice waterfront for the fireworks show and entertainment. The attacker would run through the crowd as everyone scattered to safety. Kim, Austin, and Maegan were able to make it to safety while father Sean and 11-year-old Brody were stuck in the cross-hairs of the horrific terrorist attack. A friend of the Copelands says that Kim and the adult children watched in horror as Sean and Brody were killed.

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The Washington Post spoke with Jess Davis, a friend of the Copeland family, who says that the State Department is flying in two of Sean’s brothers to retrieve Kim, Austin, and Maegan as they mourn the loss of Sean and Brodie. The White House also responded to the tragic loss with President Barack Obama noting that the family needs the love and support of our American family at this time.

“Their family, like so many others, are devastated. They’re grieving. They need all the love and support of our American family as they grapple with an unimaginable loss and try to get through what are going to be very difficult days.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also spoke directly about the loss of two of its citizens by noting that this attack has hit especially close to home. The governor has ordered that the French flag be flown over the governor’s mansion in honor of the Copeland family.

“While every heinous attack like this is tragic, this latest one hits close to home.”

Other friends and family members have taken to Facebook to express their grief over the sudden and tragic loss of Sean and Brodie.

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.stamer/posts/10155035839499689

https://www.facebook.com/baileyrae/posts/10210200103741559

https://www.facebook.com/russ.lowe.39/posts/10206758763955923

Friends of Sean and Brodie set up a GoFundMe page for the Copeland family to help cover funeral expenses and other expenses the family may incur due to the tragic loss of life. The fund has already raised over $56,000 as of the time of this posting.

“This is the official GoFundMe page for the Copeland family set up via Jonathan Paiz, owner of Hill Country Baseball. Brodie has been playing baseball at Hill Country since Fall of 2014. Immediately, he made an impact on all of the coaches at HC. Sean was very supportive and proud to be a part of the HC family. Nobody deserves this type of fate, especially not such a wonderful family. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.”

[Image via Facebook/Maegan Copeland]

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