Jabbar Gibson

Who is Jabbar Gibson?

Jabbar Gibson is a man who, on September 1, 2005, drove an abandoned New Orleans school bus after Hurricane Katrina from the flooded area to Houston, Texas, to rescue victims of the flooded city. He was 18 years old at the time.

He gained widespread media attention when he commandeered the bus in New Orleans and picked up around 70 passengers, driving them a long time, probably 7 hours to Houston, stopping for fuel three times. When asked how he paid for fuel, Jabbar replied, "we passed a hat around until we had enough money". Notoriety followed when it was reported he might be in trouble for appropriating then driving the vehicle illegally, as driving a commercial vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds requires a class A, B, or C Louisiana license.

Gibson's story was reported by Salatheia Bryant and Cynthia Leonor Garza, reporters for the Houston Chronicle newspaper.

Gibson has an extensive criminal history, including numerous arrests, and a prior conviction for possession of a stolen automobile. He had two pending cases before Hurricane Katrina for possession of cocaine and aggravated assault with a firearm with discharge. He was released from jail on the assault charge nine days before the storm hit on a personal recognizance bond issued by Judge Charles Elloie.