In a tragic and puzzling incident, an Army Green Beret, Matthew Livelsberger, drove a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks and explosive materials outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas before shooting himself in the head just moments before the vehicle exploded.
The blast, which occurred early on January 3, caused minor injuries to seven individuals but left the hotel largely unaffected. Authorities revealed that the vehicle’s steel frame absorbed much of the explosion’s force, preventing more significant damage.
Livelsberger, 37, a highly decorated soldier with five Bronze Stars and extensive service in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine, had reportedly been on approved leave after returning from an overseas assignment. Investigators have found that Livelsberger rented the Tesla in Colorado and drove it across multiple states before reaching Las Vegas.
Items found inside the truck included firearms, fireworks, and military documents. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have yet to establish a clear motive for the attack. Although the location and nature of the explosion raise questions, no definitive links have been made to terrorist activity.
The explosion follows another deadly attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, where a man rammed a truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. As authorities probe both incidents, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the explosion was caused by fireworks or a bomb, not the vehicle itself, and distanced the incident from any possible vehicle malfunction.
