The car-sharing service 'Turo,' which is supposed to have strict identity verification, was used in the series of car-related murders that occurred on New Year's Day.
by Alcides Antunes/Reuters
In the early morning of January 1, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, a driver who had procured a Ford car through the car-sharing service 'Turo' drove into a crowd while firing a gun, killing 15 people, including the driver. A few hours later, in front of the entrance to the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck that had also been dispatched via Turo exploded, killing the driver and injuring seven bystanders. The FBI has said that the two incidents are likely unrelated, but is investigating them as possible terrorist attacks.
What is Turo? Car rental app was used in New Orleans, Vegas incidents. - The Washington Post
Police positively identify driver of exploded Tesla Cybertruck as US Army soldier | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-looks-any-link-between-tesla-explosion-new-orleans-attack-2025-01-02/
Turo rentals emerge as common thread in Las Vegas Cybertruck and New Orleans deadly incidents | Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/turo-rentals-emerge-common-thread-las-vegas-cybertruck-new-orleans-deadly-incidents
The New Orleans Incident
The first of two incidents that shook America just as the New Year began occurred on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.
In the early morning hours of January 1, 2025, a driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck fired into a crowd and drove off, mowing down pedestrians for three blocks, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens. The driver was killed in a shootout with police.
The driver was identified as Shamsud Din Jabar, 42, an Army veteran from Texas. Police found a flag of the Islamic State attached to the vehicle and an improvised explosive device (IED) was found inside, leading them to determine that this was a terrorist attack.
By Gerald Herbert/AP
The Las Vegas incident
Just a few hours after the initial incident, at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time, the Cybertruck exploded shortly after arriving in the parking lot of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas in Nevada, leaving seven people nearby with minor injuries.
The driver, identified as Matthew Libelsberger, 37, an active duty Army soldier from Colorado Springs, was found dead in his vehicle after shooting himself in the head.
Fireworks and camping fuel cans were also found in the vehicle, and the FBI is investigating the incident as a possible terrorist act.
by REUTERS/Isaiah J. Downing
The hotel where the incident took place is operated by an affiliate of The Trump Organization, the company of Donald Trump, who is up for reelection as president. The manufacturer of the Cybertruck used in the attack is Tesla, the company of Elon Musk, who played a major role in the Trump campaign.
It is unclear whether these points are related to the current crime, with the Las Vegas Police Department stating, 'While we are aware that it occurred in front of the Trump Building and that a Tesla vehicle was used, to date we have no information that conclusively indicates or suggests that it was motivated by any particular ideology or the reasons behind it.'
A common thread between both cases is that vehicles from the car-sharing platform Turo were used in the crimes.
Turo released a statement saying, 'We are shocked and saddened by today's horrific incident and our hearts go out to the victim and her family.'
Here is our statement on today's horrific incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as we partner with law enforcement on all of their investigations:
https://t.co/CO57pQiBhH — Turo (@turo) January 2, 2025
◆What is Turo?
Turo is an international peer-to-peer car-sharing platform founded in 2010 as RelayRides and rebranded to Turo in 2015. It has more than 14 million users in over 16,000 cities across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and France.
Often referred to as the 'Airbnb for cars,' Turo allows individuals to rent out their own cars, and drivers can search for and rent cars on the site or app at the desired time and location. Both car owners and drivers are required to undergo identity verification.
Turo says it will introduce a 'Turo Risk Score' in 2020 that will evaluate drivers on 50 data points, while the homepage of its website states that 'once you enter your driver's license and other information, you'll be approved instantly in most cases.'
The help page also warns that Turo reserves the right to deny ride requests or terminate accounts depending on the results of its investigations, including by checking credit reports, auto insurance scores, and criminal records.
by Focal Foto
However, in both cases, the suspects had no criminal records, so Turo was unable to stop potential terrorist attacks.
Turo CEO Andre Haddad emphasized that both suspects were decorated U.S. military personnel with valid driver's licenses. 'They could have boarded any flight, checked into any hotel, rented a car or truck from any traditional rental car chain, and we believe they would have gone unnoticed by anyone, including law enforcement,' he said.
Fox News Channel, a news broadcaster that reported on the series of incidents, said, 'These tragic cases highlight the potential vulnerabilities of the peer-to-peer car-sharing model. As the investigations into both cases progress, Turo's operations and security measures may come under increased scrutiny. The car-sharing industry may also face calls for stricter regulations and stronger vetting processes.'
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