US Investigates Possible Link Between New Orleans Terror Attack and Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion

Biden confirms FBI-led investigation into suspected ISIS ties, as similarities emerge between vehicles rented via the same platform for both attacks.

Washington DC [US], January 2: US President Joe Biden revealed on Wednesday (local time) that law enforcement agencies are actively investigating a possible connection between the New Orleans terror attack and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion near Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Both vehicles involved in the incidents were rented through the same car rental platform, Turo, raising suspicions about coordinated planning.

“We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” President Biden said in an official statement.

Biden assured the public that every resource is being mobilized to ensure the safety of the American people and to expedite the investigation.

New Orleans Attack Details:

The New Orleans attack claimed 15 lives and left 35 others injured when Shamsud Din Jabbar, a former US Army serviceman, rammed a rented Ford F-150 Lightning into a crowded street during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The FBI classified the incident as an act of terrorism after discovering an ISIS flag and explosive devices in Jabbar’s vehicle.

President Biden stated, “The FBI has confirmed that the attacker was an American citizen from Texas, who had served in the US Army and the Army Reserve. Hours before the attack, he posted ISIS-inspired videos expressing a desire to kill.”

Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion:

Hours after the New Orleans attack, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring seven others. The FBI discovered that the vehicle was rented via Turo, the same platform used in the New Orleans attack.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in on the situation, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Appears likely to be an act of terrorism. Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomb in New Orleans were rented from Turo. Perhaps they are linked in some way.”

Musk clarified that the Cybertruck explosion was not caused by a vehicle malfunction but rather by fireworks or an explosive device placed in the truck bed.

The FBI is currently examining the possible connections between the two incidents, focusing on the rental history, digital footprints, and associates of the suspects.

As investigations continue, President Biden emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring public safety and bringing those responsible to justice.