On Jan. 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring at least seven people. The driver of the vehicle was found dead in the wreckage.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, some social media users erroneously suggested (archived) that the Cybertruck itself had malfunctioned, but it was found to have contained fuel canisters and firework mortars, leading authorities to investigate the incident as a potential act of terrorism. The explosion was not caused by a vehicle defect.
Investigation Status
As of Jan. 2, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI, was treating the explosion as a potential terrorist act, though no direct links to organized terror groups have so far been established.
During a Jan. 1 news conference, FBI acting Special Agent-in-Charge Jeremy Schwartz said: "Our No. 1 goal is to ensure that we have a proper identification of the suspect involved in this incident; following that our second objective is to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or not."
Shcwartz continued: "I know everybody's interested in that word and trying to see if this we can say: 'Hey, this is a terrorist attack.' That is our goal, that's what we are trying to do."
"Most importantly, as the sheriff [Kevin McMahill] already mentioned, we believe this is an isolated incident," he added.
Authorities are working to uncover the motive behind the explosion and determine whether there are any links to a vehicle attack in New Orleans in which a pickup was driven into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities. The New Orleans incident is also being investigated as a potential terrorist attack. As of Jan. 2, the FBI had found "no definitive link" between the two incidents, according to The Associated Press.
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What We Know About the Suspect
At a Jan. 2 news conference, state and federal authorities said they were confident the driver of the Cybertruck was Matthew Alan Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, but that a final determination of the man's identity hinged on DNA testing. They reiterated their belief that he acted alone.
Officials also disclosed that Livelsberger had rented the electric vehicle from Turo, the same vehicle-sharing service linked to the New Orleans attack, and that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to the explosion.
According to The Guardian, Livelsberger served more than 19 years in the U.S. military. Citing two law enforcement officials who requested to remain anonymous, The Associated Press reported that:
Livelsberger was a member of the Army's elite Green Berets, a special forces unit and guerrilla warfare experts, according to an Army statement. He has served in the Army since 2006, rising through the ranks, and was on approved leave when he died, the statement said. The Green Berets work to counter terrorists abroad using unconventional techniques.
Livelsberger spent time at the base formerly known as Fort Bragg, a massive Army base in North Carolina that is home to Army special forces command.
The New York Times supplied a few more details about Livelsberger's military service:
In a statement sent to reporters on Thursday, the Army identified the driver as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an Army master sergeant.
According to the Army, Sergeant Livelsberger enlisted as a Special Forces trainee and served on active duty from January 2006 to March 2011, then served in the National Guard from March 2011 to July 2012, and in the Army Reserve from July 2012 to December 2012.
He re-entered active duty in December 2012, serving with U.S. Army Special Operations. At the time of the explosion, he had been on approved leave.
McMahill noted that the truck's exterior remained "completely intact," explaining that "the fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred" in the hotel's valet area and pointing out the building's front glass doors weren't broken by the explosion.
According to McMahill, there is currently "no further threat to the community" in connection with the incident.
Suspect's Letters and Manifesto
During a Jan. 3, 2025, news conference, McMahill stated that the investigation confirmed the suspect's identity using dental records and DNA provided by family members. The investigators also revealed that the suspect had likely been suffering from PTSD and held no animosity toward President-elect Trump, referring to the incident as a "stunt." Two notes found in a phone app shed light on a possible motive. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) released two of Livelsberger's letters, which "include grievances regarding political, social, cultural, personal, and other issues," according to the LVMPD.
Officials clarified that the suspect acted alone and lawfully purchased firearms in preparation for the act. Additionally, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Las Vegas Division, Spencer Evans addressed speculation about similarities to events in New Orleans by saying there is no evidence of any connection or prior communication between the suspects.
On Jan. 7, 2025, McMahill disclosed the discovery of a six-page possible manifesto, in addition to earlier letters. The manifesto has not yet been released due to concerns it may contain classified information. Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren confirmed that new evidence suggests the incident was a suicide and noted the suspect's struggles with mental health issues.
Investigators also revealed that the suspect used ChatGPT to assist in planning the attack. When asked if the act is still considered a potential terrorist attack, McMahill stated: "We haven't closed a single door on what the investigation is looking at."