The year 2025 started with tragedy in the United States, after two separate attacks occurred in Las Vegas and New Orleans, leaving a death toll of 16 and over 40 injured. These attacks were carried out using rental vehicles through the Turo application.
In the early hours of January 1st, Shamsud Din Jabbar rammed a Ford F-150 truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, causing the death of 15 people and leaving 35 injured. In the following hours, the FBI confirmed finding an Islamic State flag, as well as weapons and improvised explosives in the vehicle.
On the same day, hours later, in Las Vegas, a rented Tesla Cybertruck, also rented through Turo, exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel, causing one death and seven injuries.
According to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, the explosion was not due to vehicle failures but to "large fireworks and/or a bomb carried on the platform."
What is the Turo app for car rentals?
Turo is a collaborative economy platform that allows individuals to rent out their vehicles, but unlike traditional rental companies, it operates with minimal requirements: it accepts foreign licenses, allows rentals from 18 years old, and conducts mostly digital verifications.
This flexibility in carrying out rentals has led to the company being scrutinized after it was confirmed that it had been used to provide vehicles for both attacks.
"We confirm with great sorrow that the horrible attack this morning in New Orleans and the explosion of the Tesla Cybertruck this afternoon in Las Vegas affected rental vehicles on Turo. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," Turo stated in a press release.
Steve Webb, vice president of communications at Turo, defended the company's security protocols, stating that none of the attackers had criminal backgrounds that identified them as threats. The company claims to be actively collaborating with authorities in both investigations.
Meanwhile, the FBI is leading the investigation to determine if there is a connection between both attacks. President Biden mentioned that intelligence agencies are investigating possible links, although “there is nothing to report on the matter at this time.”