New Orleans New Year’s Attack: Questions Surround Suspect’s Rental Truck
Authorities are investigating the horrific New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where a driver plowed a Ford F-150 Lightning truck into a crowd, killing 10 and injuring dozens. Key questions remain regarding how Shamsud Din Jabbar obtained the vehicle.
KPRC 2’s investigation reveals the truck, bearing Texas license plates, was last registered to a Pasadena car dealership. Records indicate the truck was part of the dealership’s rental fleet and was present on their lot as recently as December 14th. Further investigation revealed the truck was rented through Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental service. A Turo spokesperson stated the company is cooperating fully with the FBI investigation and was unaware of any red flags in Jabbar’s background at the time of the reservation. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has also confirmed working with law enforcement on this issue.
Jabbar, a Houston resident, rented the truck on December 30th and reportedly drove it in Houston before traveling to New Orleans. In New Orleans, he drove the truck into a crowd celebrating the New Year in the French Quarter. A subsequent shootout with police left two officers injured before Jabbar was fatally shot.
The FBI has classified the incident as a possible act of terrorism after discovering an ISIS flag and a homemade explosive device inside the truck. The Pasadena car dealership has not yet issued a public statement, and Pasadena Police have deferred comment to the FBI, which is leading the ongoing investigation.
About the Authors:
* Joel Eisenbaum, Investigative Reporter
* Holly Galvan Posey, Digital Content Producer
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