Matthew Livelsberger, a former Green Beret turned Cybertruck bomber, unleashed chaos in Las Vegas with a deadly blast outside the Trump International Hotel on Wednesday, leaving seven bystanders injured.
Authorities revealed the 36-year-old’s bizarre suicide note, in which he claimed China is secretly stalking the U.S. with advanced drones launched from submarines, calling them the “most dangerous threat to national security.”
A Manifesto Fueled by Paranoia
Livelsberger’s explosive act was not motivated by terrorism, police said, but rather by his desire to bring attention to his alarming manifesto. In an email sent to retired Army intelligence officer Sam Shoemate shortly before the attack, Livelsberger alleged that mysterious drones seen over New Jersey and the East Coast were Chinese weapons capable of devastating attacks. He warned of “gravatic propulsion systems” and an impending Chinese assault, describing his actions as a “wake-up call” to Americans.
Livelsberger, still an active U.S. Army Ranger, took his own life seconds before the improvised explosive device in the back of his rented Cybertruck detonated.
A Trail of Red Flags
Livelsberger left Colorado Springs on Dec. 30, renting the Cybertruck via Turo, the same platform used by the New Orleans terrorist days earlier. His phone contained chilling notes, including one describing the bombing as a spectacle meant to wake the nation. “Americans only pay attention to violence,” one note read. Surveillance logs on his phone documented his journey from Denver to Las Vegas, corroborated by CCTV footage at charging stations along the way.
Authorities also found writings that criticized U.S. leadership as “weak and feckless” and encouraged veterans to rise up against systemic corruption.
No Terror Ties, No Connections
Despite initial fears, FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans confirmed no connection between Livelsberger and the ISIS-linked New Orleans bomber. Investigators found no communication between the two men, who both rented vehicles through Turo and had military backgrounds. “We have no evidence suggesting these events were coordinated,” Evans said.
Livelsberger’s family disclosed he suffered from PTSD and personal grievances, which authorities believe may have contributed to his radicalized behavior.
Lingering Questions and Fallout
The dramatic attack has raised concerns about the ease of weaponizing vehicles and the role of mental health among veterans. As investigators continue to probe Livelsberger’s motives, they’ve emphasized his actions stemmed from personal turmoil rather than ideological allegiance.
More developments are expected as authorities piece together the shocking details of Livelsberger’s final days.
