Army Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, who was involved in a Las Vegas Cybertruck bombing, struggled with mental health issues, particularly after his service in the Middle East. Before the incident, he sent a New Year’s Eve email to Samuel Shoemate, a retired Army intelligence officer. The email highlighted his grievances and mental health concerns but didn’t explain why he planned the attack.
Livelsberger, a decorated U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt., had served in Afghanistan and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during his deployments. His ex-girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, shared that he had frequent memory problems, including poor concentration and headaches, and did not want to seek treatment for fear it would end his military career. He expressed guilt about causing civilian deaths, which may have contributed to his struggles.
Experts note that many special forces soldiers like Livelsberger face challenges with mental health due to the high-intensity nature of their work. Research shows that veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
In the days leading up to the bombing, Livelsberger rented a Tesla Cybertruck and sent pictures and videos to Arritt, mentioning how much he liked the vehicle. Despite his cheerful messages, he had been secretly planning the attack. He drove to Las Vegas and exploded the Cybertruck near the Trump International Hotel, marking a public display of a private tragedy.
His father said Livelsberger had been home for Christmas and seemed fine before he rented the Cybertruck and drove towards Las Vegas. The Pentagon confirmed there were no red flags regarding his behavior before he left Germany for his military leave. Livelsberger had previously visited military behavioral health services but had not received a diagnosis or treatment.
Livelsberger’s actions have sparked discussions about the mental health struggles faced by military personnel, especially elite soldiers in high-stress roles. His friends and colleagues, including Fardin Fetwat, a former Afghan interpreter, described him as a kind person who helped others but was deeply impacted by his military experiences. Fetwat said that losing Livelsberger felt like losing a brother.
