Truck used in New Orleans pedestrian attack rented on Turo app from Houston

Houston authorities are currently conducting an investigation in an area located on the northside of the city in relation to the tragic New Orleans attack that occurred on Wednesday.

According to federal agents, the FBI Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are currently engaged in law enforcement operations in north Houston, specifically near the intersection of Hugh Road and Crescent Peak Drive.

It has been confirmed by ABC13 that the activity is centered around a property where the suspect involved in the fatal attack had been residing.

At around 3 p.m., the officers swiftly advanced towards the area. However, it was only a short while before 5 p.m. when a man emerged from the residence, surrendering with his hands raised in the air.

There is currently no information available regarding his potential association with the ongoing investigation.

The FBI has established a perimeter in the area and is urging people to stay away. Specialized teams and personnel from the FBI Houston office will be present at the scene for several hours.

While the FBI has confirmed that this activity is connected to the recent attack in New Orleans, they are unable to provide any additional details at this time due to the ongoing investigation, as stated to 13 Investigates.

According to officials, a Houston man drove a Ford pickup truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street at a high rate of speed early Wednesday, resulting in the death of at least 15 people and leaving over two dozen injured.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S.-born citizen and U.S. Army veteran from Houston, Texas, has been identified as the suspect.

According to a spokesperson from consulting firm Deloitte, Jabbar has been working for the company as a “Senior Solution Specialist” since 2021. As of Wednesday morning, he was still employed by the company.

During the New Year celebrations in New Orleans, Jabbar was behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 Lightning truck. According to sources, the truck is connected to the Houston area, as confirmed by ABC13.

The electric truck, which had Texas plates, was rented through the Turo app, a platform for sharing vehicles, from a man located in Houston.

According to sources, the truck was spotted on Tuesday in north Harris County near Treaschwig Road and Aldine Westfield Road at around 10:15 a.m., and then again at 11:10 a.m.

According to sources, at 12:15 p.m., the truck was seen in Baytown, Texas, driving east on I-10 towards New Orleans.

In an interview with ABC News, the owner of the truck, who rented it out through Turo, confirmed the details. He mentioned that he is currently in contact with the FBI and chose not to provide any additional comments.

New Orleans updates: 10 dead, dozens injured after vehicle plows into crowd in ‘terrorist attack’

The city of New Orleans is reeling after a devastating incident that took place over the weekend. A vehicle plowed into a crowd, leaving 10 people dead and dozens more injured. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident and working to determine the motives behind the attack. They have not yet released any information about the driver of the vehicle or whether they are in custody.

The incident occurred during a busy time in the city, with crowds of people out enjoying the weekend. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with people running and screaming as the vehicle plowed through the crowd.

Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, providing medical assistance to the injured and transporting them to nearby hospitals. The injured range in age from children to adults, and their conditions vary from minor to critical.

The mayor of New Orleans has expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, calling the incident a “senseless act of violence.” He has also assured the public that every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice.

The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from the community, with vigils and memorials being held to honor the victims. People are coming together to offer comfort and support to those affected by the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They are also asking the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of community and unity in the face of adversity. The people of New Orleans are coming together to support one another and show that they will not be divided by acts of violence.

According to city and federal officials, Jabbar, who had a strong determination to cause harm, defied barricades and steered his pickup truck through a crowd of New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He accelerated at a high speed, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives and causing injuries to numerous others.

Multiple law enforcement sources have informed ABC News that viable explosive devices were discovered in and around the scene on Bourbon Street.

According to ABC News, hotels in the area are being evacuated and authorities have conducted several controlled detonations.

Authorities reported that two police officers were shot and injured in the incident.

In regards to the tragic event, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell characterized it as a “terrorist attack,” while Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the FBI is currently investigating it as an act of terror. This incident occurs shortly after a devastating vehicle ramming attack in Germany, heightening concerns about such attacks among law enforcement and the occurrence of lone actors targeting winter holiday events.

According to Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, Jabar’s intention was to cause maximum harm and kill as many people as possible. The truck he drove had a black flag attached to it, although the exact meaning behind it remains unclear.

Witnesses who were present during the New Orleans attack that resulted in the tragic loss of 10 lives have shared their horrifying accounts of the event.

City officials described the chaotic situation that unfolded as a “mass casualty incident,” resulting in at least 35 individuals sustaining injuries. According to New Orleans police and city officials, the majority of the victims were local residents.

During a news conference held early Wednesday, Kirkpatrick stated that the individual responsible for the devastation was determined to carry out the carnage that unfolded.

Despite having a fully staffed police force of 100% for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Police Department reported an attack that took place. The department also had an additional 300 officers on duty from partner agencies.

According to a senior federal law enforcement source, local authorities reached out to the FBI for help on Wednesday. They are in the process of establishing a command center, with the FBI taking the lead in the investigation.

“A tragic act of violence occurred on Bourbon Street this morning,” expressed Gov. Jeff Landry, as he shared that his family is keeping the victims and first responders in their thoughts and prayers.

Officials are currently conducting a background check on the gun and reviewing surveillance footage in order to establish a timeline of the suspect’s activities.

Source