Authorities probe Cybertruck explosion outside Trump hotel as potential act of terror
An image of Matthew Alan Livelsberger is displayed on a monitor as Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks about the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded on New Year's Day in front of the entrance to the Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas during a news conference at LVMPD headquarters on 2 January 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McMahill said that authorities believe the person of interest in the incident is Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active member of the U.S. military, but are waiting for the coroner to make the final determination. McMahill also said the driver suffered a gunshot wound to the head that is believed to have been self-inflicted.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP
Las Vegas, United States—Authorities are investigating the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas as a potential act of terrorism, although the suspect’s motive remains unclear.
FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans told reporters on Thursday that agents are examining all possibilities, but no definitive ideology has been identified. "The motivation at this point is unknown," Evans said, adding that it was "not lost" on investigators that the blast occurred in front of a hotel linked to US President-elect Donald Trump, with Tesla owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk.
Gunshot wound raises suicide speculation
Authorities later revealed that the suspect, who died inside the Cybertruck, had sustained a gunshot wound to the head before the explosion. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said evidence from the coroner's office suggests the suspect may have died by suicide prior to the detonation.
"We also discovered through the coroner's office that the individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation of the vehicle," McMahill stated.
No link to New Orleans attack
Meanwhile, the FBI confirmed that the Las Vegas incident does not appear to be linked to the New Orleans truck-ramming attack that killed 15 people on New Year’s Day.
FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said during a press conference, "At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas."
Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.