Authorities in Las Vegas have revealed that a highly decorated Army soldier, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, shot himself in the head just before detonating a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks outside the Trump International Hotel. The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people but minimal damage to the hotel itself, thanks to the steel-sided vehicle absorbing much of the force. Despite Livelsberger’s military experience, authorities have noted that the level of sophistication in the attack was not what they would expect. The motive behind the incident is still under investigation, with officials stating that there is no conclusive evidence linking it to a specific ideology at this time.
Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Green Beret, had recently returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on approved leave when the incident occurred. Investigators have learned that he may have been involved in a dispute with his wife about relationship issues, leading to his actions of renting the Tesla and acquiring firearms. The charred items found inside the truck included a handgun at Livelsberger’s feet, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, military ID, and electronic devices. Despite the legality of his gun purchases, Livelsberger’s cause of death was ruled as suicide by gunshot, according to the coroner’s report.
Having served in the Army since 2006, Livelsberger had a long career of overseas assignments, including deployments to Afghanistan and service in multiple countries. He was awarded several prestigious military honors, indicating his courage and dedication to duty. Prior to the explosion, the Tesla Cybertruck was tracked through various charging stations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before appearing on the Las Vegas Strip. Investigators have confirmed that Livelsberger was the sole occupant of the vehicle and are not aware of any other individuals involved in the case. Authorities conducted a search of Livelsberger’s residence in Colorado Springs as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident in Las Vegas involving the Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks occurred shortly after a terrorist attack in New Orleans where a truck crashed into a crowd, resulting in casualties. Despite both Livelsberger and the New Orleans attacker having spent time at Fort Bragg, there is no overlap in their assignments at the base. FBI officials have found no definitive link between the two events. Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb in the truck bed and was not related to the vehicle itself. Musk, who has close ties to President-elect Donald Trump, was not present in Las Vegas at the time of the incident. The ongoing investigation continues to uncover details surrounding Livelsberger’s motivations and the circumstances leading up to the explosion outside the Trump International Hotel.
