Green Beret Linked to Tesla Explosion Outside Trump Hotel \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Authorities revealed new details about the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel. Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated Army Green Beret, is believed to have planned the blast before shooting himself inside the vehicle. The explosion was contained largely within the truck, which was packed with fireworks and fuel canisters. Investigators have found no definitive connection between this incident and the New Orleans attack earlier the same day.
Las Vegas Tesla Explosion: Quick Looks
- Incident Details: The explosion occurred Wednesday outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, killing one and injuring seven.
- Suspect Identified: Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated Green Beret, is believed to be the driver.
- Military Background: Livelsberger served in the Army since 2006, earning multiple Bronze Stars and other commendations.
- Contained Blast: The steel-sided Tesla Cybertruck absorbed much of the explosion, limiting damage to the hotel.
- Investigation Updates: FBI officials have found no connection between this incident and the New Orleans truck attack.
Deep Look: Investigating the Las Vegas Tesla Cybertruck Explosion
The explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day has left investigators piecing together the movements and motives of the likely driver, 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger. A decorated Army Green Beret, Livelsberger is believed to have shot himself in the head before the blast, which injured seven people but caused only limited damage thanks to the truck’s design.
Packed with fireworks mortars and camp fuel canisters, the explosion vented upward, sparing significant harm to the Trump International Hotel doors just feet away. Authorities are working to determine whether this act was an isolated incident or connected to a broader threat, including the truck attack in New Orleans that occurred just hours earlier.
What Happened in Las Vegas?
The explosion occurred early Wednesday in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel, located just off the Las Vegas Strip. Witnesses reported seeing flames erupting from the Tesla Cybertruck, followed by a powerful explosion that injured seven bystanders.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that investigators found a handgun at the driver’s feet, suggesting that Livelsberger, the presumed driver, shot himself before the blast. Despite the explosives packed in the truck bed, the steel-sided vehicle absorbed much of the blast’s energy, directing it upward rather than outward.
Revealing the Driver: Matthew Livelsberger
Authorities have not yet definitively identified the remains found in the truck but believe the driver was Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Colorado native and decorated member of the U.S. Army Green Berets.
Military Career Highlights
- Joined the Army in 2006.
- Deployed twice to Afghanistan, with additional assignments in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo.
- Awarded two Bronze Stars, one with a valor device for courage under fire, a combat infantry badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor.
The Army confirmed Livelsberger was on approved leave at the time of his death. Despite his extensive training, authorities noted the rudimentary nature of the explosive devices, which lacked the sophistication expected from someone of his background.
Items Recovered from the Cybertruck
Inside the truck, investigators found an assortment of charred items that offer clues about Livelsberger’s plans and movements:
- Two firearms, both purchased legally, including the handgun used in the apparent suicide.
- Fireworks mortars and camp fuel canisters, which served as the explosive components.
- A passport, military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch.
Video footage and Tesla’s vehicle telemetry have helped authorities reconstruct Livelsberger’s journey leading up to the explosion.
Livelsberger’s Movements
Livelsberger rented the Tesla Cybertruck in Denver on Saturday, December 28, and traveled through several states before arriving in Las Vegas. Charging station logs reveal the following stops:
- Monday: Monument, Colorado, near Colorado Springs.
- New Year’s Eve: Trinidad, Colorado; Albuquerque and Gallup, New Mexico; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Wednesday Morning: Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Kingman, Arizona, before arriving in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m.
The explosion occurred just over an hour later.
Ties to the New Orleans Truck Attack
The Las Vegas explosion came hours after another attack in New Orleans, where Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar rammed a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 15 and injuring over 30. Initially, authorities explored potential links between the two incidents, particularly as both suspects had connections to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), home to elite Army special operations units.
However, the FBI confirmed on Thursday that there was “no definitive link” between Livelsberger and Jabbar’s attacks. Deputy Assistant Director Chris Raia noted that while both men served at Fort Liberty, their assignments did not overlap, and their actions appeared to be unrelated.
Tesla and Musk’s Response
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself.” Musk emphasized that Tesla’s telemetry confirmed the vehicle was functioning properly before the blast.
Musk, who has recently joined Trump’s inner circle, was not in Las Vegas at the time of the explosion. Both Musk and Trump attended a New Year’s Eve party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Potential Motives and Broader Implications
While Livelsberger’s motive remains unclear, investigators are exploring several possibilities:
- Personal Turmoil: Despite his decorated military career, Livelsberger may have been struggling with personal or mental health challenges.
- Symbolic Target: The proximity of the explosion to Trump’s hotel raises questions about whether the location was intentionally chosen.
- Unrelated Incident: The lack of a detailed manifesto or specific threats complicates the investigation into any ideological or political motivations.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is conducting additional investigations, including a search of a home in Colorado Springs linked to Livelsberger. Agents are analyzing the recovered items and reviewing footage to determine if there were any missed warning signs or accomplices involved.
Las Vegas on Edge
The explosion has heightened concerns in Las Vegas, a city already grappling with its vulnerability as a high-profile tourist destination. Officials have reassured the public that the incident appears isolated but emphasized the importance of vigilance in crowded areas.
Seven people suffered minor injuries from the blast, and authorities are working to provide support to those affected.
A City Processing Tragedy
The Las Vegas explosion, though less devastating than it could have been, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and unpredictability of modern threats. As investigators continue to uncover details about Livelsberger’s life and motivations, the incident leaves a lingering sense of unease in a city synonymous with celebration and spectacle.
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