What Is Turo? Same App Used to Rent Trucks in New Orleans Attack, Las Vegas Explosion

The Turo app was used to rent the cars associated with the vehicular attack in New Orleans as well as the Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

“We are heartbroken by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and our prayers are with the victims and families,” a Turo spokesperson told Newsweek. “We are actively partnering with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents.”

Why It Matters

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been named the suspect in the New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 early Wednesday morning.

Later on Wednesday in Las Vegas, a Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel, killing one and injuring seven others. It was not due to a defective Tesla, but instead “large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed,” according to CEO Elon Musk.

Both incidents are being treated as an act of terrorism. Both also were associated with the Turo app, as reported by the Associated Press.

“We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat,” a Turo spokesperson told Newsweek. “We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards in risk management, thanks to our world-class trust and safety technologies and teams that include experienced former law enforcement professionals.”

What To Know

Turo is a car rental marketplace that allows users to rent cars from “trusted hosts” across the United States, Canada, Australia and France, according to the app’s description on Google Play.

The app says it is the “world’s largest car sharing marketplace,” allowing people to “skip the rental car counter” and instead “choose from an extraordinary selection of vehicles shared by local hosts and rent the best car for your trip, then you can pick it up at a convenient location near you or your destination.”

“Entrepreneurs can take the wheel of their futures by becoming hosts and building car sharing businesses on Turo, leveraging an established platform to scale their businesses and meet their goals,” the app description reads. “With Turo, everyone has the power to get in the driver’s seat.”

Turo offers a variety of cars, from vans to exotic vehicles, as well as vintage cars and SUVs. The app has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5 stars in the App Store. Reviews called the service a “game-changer.”

The attack in New Orleans occurred around 4:15 a.m. EST in the French Quarter, one of New Orleans’ busiest areas, during the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Three victims have been identified by their families: Reggie Hunter, Nikyra Dedeaux and Tiger Bech.

The New Orleans Police Department said the suspect opened fire on officers after the vehicle came to a stop. He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which officials said appeared to be rented.

An ISIS flag was found in the vehicle, according to the FBI. Weapons and a potential IED were also found in the vehicle. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.

Jabbar was allegedly staying at an Airbnb, which burned down earlier Wednesday, about a mile and a half away from the attacks.

Across the country in Las Vegas, one person died, and seven more suffered from minor injuries after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in the Trump International Hotel valet area.

Police have yet to determine what caused the incident, but until then, they are treating the blast as a possible criminal act and a possible act of terror, ABC News reported.

In a press conference Wednesday night about the New Orleans attack, President Joe Biden also mentioned the Las Vegas incident, noting that law enforcement and the intelligence community are looking into if there’s “any possible connection.”

“Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score at this time,” Biden said.

What People Are Saying

New Orleans victim Nikyra Dedeaux’s mother, Melissa Dedeaux, to Nola.com: “I just want to see my baby. She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, on X, formerly Twitter: “A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning. Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area.”

President Joe Biden, in a statement: “I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”

Eric Trump, the president-elect’s second-eldest son and one of the executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, on X: “Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.”

“The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism,” he added.

Jeremy Schwartz, acting FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Las Vegas office, at a news conference: “I know you have a lot of questions.”

“We don’t have a lot of answers.”

What’s Next

The FBI will be the lead agency in investigating the New Orleans case. Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.

The public is being asked to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Street, east to Royal Street, and west to Dauphine Street until further notice.

The Las Vegas Police Department said it is investigating the fire and explosion. At Wednesday’s news conference, Schwartz confirmed that the FBI is also involved in this investigation.

Update 1/1/25, 7:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 1/1/25, 9:36 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from Turo.

Update 1/1/25, 10:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.