Turo app used in New Orleans, Las Vegas attacks: what you need to know
The trucks involved in the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks were both rented through the ride-sharing platform Turo.
According to the FBI, the deceased suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, rented a white truck and plowed it on the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans early Wednesday morning when people were out celebrating the New Year. 15 people died.
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In another incident on Wednesday, a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with gasoline cans and explosives near the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, according to local police. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said the driver “rented a car in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas at approximately 7:30 a.m. and drove through the Las Vegas Strip to the hotel where the incident occurred.” There was one death.
“We are saddened by the violence in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and our prayers are with the victims and their families,” Turo said in a statement sent to Fox News. “We are working closely with law enforcement as they investigate both of these incidents. We do not believe that any employer involved in the attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans had a criminal background that would indicate this is a security risk.”
The company said “it remains[s] we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of risk management, thanks to our world-class technology and security and teams that include former legal experts.”
The FBI said Thursday morning that there is “no direct connection” between the two incidents at this time.
How the app works
Turo users book rental cars on the platform through a multi-step process.
“They enter where and when you need a car, filter to find the right one for you, and read reviews from previous renters,” according to the car-sharing app’s website.
There are more than 1,600 “unique items and models” on the Turo, its website says. They are served by “hosts,” which Turo describes as “everyday entrepreneurs who share cars in their communities.”
Turo users can have their cars picked up at a pickup location or delivered to them, according to the company.
“Some hosts meet guests in person, while others prefer remote delivery,” explains Turo’s site.
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It said requirements to rent a car through the app include having a Turo account, having a valid driver’s license and obtaining a Turo driver’s permit. It also asks for a home address and has different age requirements by country, according to the website.
Turo said in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that about 3.5 million visitors rented cars in the 12-month period ending Sept. 30.
The app is available in the US, Australia, France, UK and some parts of Canada.
The Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas was rented in Colorado, LVMPD said. Meanwhile, the rental of the van used in the New Orleans attack took place in Texas, according to the FBI.
Who is Turo’s CEO?
Turo is assisted by CEO Andre Haddad.
He became CEO of the peer-to-peer car-sharing company in 2011, according to his company history.
Before that, Haddad founded an online marketplace called iBazar which was bought by eBay in 2001. He spent nearly a decade at eBay after buying it, his Turo bio says.
Turo was created by Shelby Clark in 2009.
A possible IPO in the future
Turo has been eyeing a potential public offering in recent years.
In 2022, it submitted a registration statement to the SEC for the proposed IPO. That happened five months after the draft registration statement was made confidential.
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Turo said in a November amendment to its filing that it had generated revenue of approximately $879.68 million and revenue of more than $14.71 million through 2023. In the first nine months of 2024, it saw $722.05 million in revenue and $19.4 million in revenue. in revenue, according to the filing.
Margaret Kerman contributed to this report.
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