Federal authorities are investigating the dramatic explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas as a possible act of terror. The driver, identified as 37-year-old Army veteran Matthew Livelsberger from Colorado Springs, was killed in the blast early New Year's Day. Seven bystanders sustained minor injuries.
The explosion, which occurred in the hotel's valet area around 8:40 a.m., came just hours after another high-profile attack in New Orleans, where a driver rammed a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 15 people and injuring 30. The FBI is probing potential links between the two incidents, both of which involved vehicles rented through the car-sharing app Turo.
Livelsberger, who served in the Army and had multiple properties in Colorado Springs, reportedly packed the Cybertruck with fireworks-style mortars and camping fuel canisters, according to law enforcement sources. The vehicle was driven through the Las Vegas Strip before stopping at the Trump hotel, where it exploded. The FBI and Las Vegas police are leading the investigation, with authorities calling the blast a likely intentional act.
Who Is Matthew Livelsberger? Army Veteran Identified as Driver in Cybertruck Explosion Near Trump Las Vegas Hotel
"This is a Tesla truck, and we know that Elon Musk is working with President-elect Trump, and it's the Trump Tower," Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a press briefing. "So there's obviously things to be concerned about, and it's something we continue to look at."
Surveillance footage showed Livelsberger driving the Cybertruck through Las Vegas before arriving at the hotel. The truck's durable design reportedly mitigated the explosion's damage. "The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside the valet," McMahill said. The hotel's glass front doors remained intact despite the powerful blast.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that 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 added, "Law enforcement currently believes it was most likely intentional."
The FBI is also scrutinizing Livelsberger's connections to Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans attack, who was also an Army veteran. Both men had overlapping service at the same Army base, raising further questions about their potential collaboration. Jabbar was fatally shot by police following the New Orleans attack.
Who Is Matthew Livelsberger? Army Veteran Identified as Driver in Cybertruck Explosion Near Trump Las Vegas Hotel
Federal agents searched properties linked to Livelsberger late Wednesday, including a townhouse in the Stetson Hills neighborhood of Colorado Springs. Authorities have not disclosed any findings but are continuing to investigate the driver's motives and possible accomplices.
In the wake of the incidents, public figures and officials expressed their condolences and concerns. Former first lady Melania Trump called the violence "deeply concerning" and said, "The brutality must stop. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss." President-elect Donald Trump described the attacks as "pure evil" on his Truth Social platform.
Meanwhile, Turo, the car-sharing platform through which both vehicles were rented, stated, "We are heartbroken by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Our prayers are with the victims and families. We are actively partnering with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents."
The FBI is treating both events as terrorism-related and has urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. Jeremy Schwartz, acting FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas office, said, "We don't have a lot of answers," but assured the public that every lead is being pursued.
