LAS VEGAS — A decorated Army veteran tragically took his own life inside a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks that detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The incident occurred just before the explosion, according to reports from law enforcement officials. Seven individuals sustained minor injuries from the blast, though the hotel itself suffered little to no damage. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that the driver, identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a Green Beret, may have initially intended to inflict more harm, but the robust vehicle absorbed much of the explosion’s impact.
The damage was largely confined to the truck’s interior as the explosion “vented out and up,” narrowly missing the hotel’s entrance just feet away, explained the sheriff. Kenny Cooper, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, remarked on the surprising lack of sophistication in the attack given Livelsberger’s extensive military background. Investigators are currently trying to understand his motives for the act.
Although the incident occurred outside the Trump building and involved a Tesla vehicle, FBI officials have stated they lack definitive information to conclude that the attack was ideologically motivated. Livelsberger had recently returned from an overseas deployment in Germany and was on approved leave at the time of his death. An unnamed law enforcement official indicated there may have been personal issues in his marriage that preceded the renting of the Tesla and the subsequent purchase of firearms.
Inside the charred remains of the vehicle, authorities discovered a handgun located at Livelsberger’s feet, another firearm, several fireworks, a passport, military identification, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Law enforcement confirmed that both weapons were legally obtained. The driver, who was burned beyond recognition, was confirmed to be Livelsberger, with death ruled a suicide by gunshot, per the Clark County coroner’s office.
Livelsberger was a dedicated member of the Green Berets, a special forces unit within the Army skilled in counter-terrorism and training allied forces. His military career began in 2006, and he had significant overseas assignments, including deployments to Afghanistan and service in various countries such as Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and the Congo. He received multiple accolades throughout his service, including five Bronze Stars, one of which was awarded for valor.
Records show that Livelsberger rented the Tesla in Denver on a Saturday and charged it at various locations over the following days. On New Year’s Eve, it was charged in Colorado and again in three New Mexico towns before being recorded on video on the Las Vegas Strip early the next day. Investigators have gathered evidence indicating Livelsberger was alone in the vehicle, with no other suspects implicated in the incident thus far.
A search was conducted at a townhouse in Colorado Springs where Livelsberger lived, revealing little about his prior demeanor, as neighbors described him as an ordinary person with a family. Cindy Helwig, a neighbor, recalled Matthew asking for a tool to repair his vehicle shortly before the event, acknowledging that he seemed like any other resident of the community.
The explosion occurred only hours after a separate violent incident in New Orleans, where another individual had driven into a crowd, causing numerous fatalities. Federal officials have communicated that they have found no direct connection between these two occurrences, as both individuals had connections with military installations but operated independently.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk commented on the incident, clarifying that the explosion resulted from fireworks or a bomb in the vehicle and affirmed that it was unrelated to the car itself. Musk, known for his support of the former president, attended a New Year’s event alongside Donald Trump just before the Las Vegas explosion.
As the case remains under investigation, law enforcement continues to seek additional information regarding the motives behind Livelsberger’s actions and any potential links to other recent violent events.
