The explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas early Wednesday morning has sparked an investigation by the FBI. The incident resulted in the death of the driver and minor injuries to seven others, leading authorities to consider the possibility of terrorism. However, they do not believe that this event is connected to the tragic attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, where a pickup truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in multiple casualties.
FBI agent Jeremy Schwartz stated, “We do not believe that there’s a bunch of folks out there supporting this or helping this,” as reported by CBS News. The explosion, which appears to be intentional, involved the discovery of gas cans, camp fuel canisters, and firework mortars inside the rented electric truck. The vehicle was rented to Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an active-duty U.S. Army servicemember who was on leave in Colorado at the time of the incident.
Security footage posted on X captured the moment when flames erupted from the cab just before the bed of the Cybertruck exploded, followed by fireworks. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill revealed that the explosion occurred approximately 15 seconds after the Cybertruck arrived at the hotel, although it remains unclear how the ignition took place.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk provided the FBI with security footage from Supercharger stations, tracking the Cybertruck’s journey into Vegas before the explosion. Musk stated that the blast was caused by large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the truck’s bed, unrelated to the vehicle itself. The construction of the Cybertruck played a significant role in containing the explosion, limiting the damage inside the valet area.
While reports have suggested that Livelsberger was the driver killed in the explosion, this information has not been officially confirmed by authorities. Similar to the pickup truck used in the New Orleans attack, the Cybertruck in Las Vegas was rented through Turo, and both suspects were U.S. Army members. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing that the incident appears to be isolated at this time.
The FBI and Las Vegas police have not confirmed the identity of the driver, but one of Livelsberger’s relatives expressed concern after not hearing from him for several days. Fortunately, no additional fatalities occurred outside the Trump Hotel. The unique construction of the Cybertruck, with stainless steel body panels, helped contain the blast and minimize damage to the surrounding area. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the motives behind this tragic incident.