Mysterious Cybertruck® Blast in Las Vegas: What Authorities Know So Far
A New Year's Day explosion outside the Trump® International Hotel in Las Vegas sent shockwaves through the city, leaving one person dead and seven others injured. Investigators are now piecing together what happened and why a Tesla Cybertruck® packed with fireworks and gasoline erupted into flames.
A Morning of Chaos
At 8:40 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025, a rented Tesla Cybertruck parked outside the Trump International Hotel exploded, scattering debris and causing minor injuries to seven bystanders. Authorities quickly responded to the scene and discovered gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars in the truck bed.
Video footage released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) showed the fiery blast and fireworks erupting from the vehicle. Sheriff Kevin McMahill explained that the Cybertruck's design likely minimized the impact. "The fact that this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet," McMahill said, according to PEOPLE, noting that the hotel's front glass doors remained intact despite the explosion.
The Driver Identified
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 37-year-old Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a decorated Green Beret from Colorado. Investigators determined Livelsberger died by suicide, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound discovered during the investigation. His body was burned beyond recognition, requiring dental records and DNA to confirm his identity.
Livelsberger had rented the Tesla Cybertruck in Denver through the Turo app and drove to Las Vegas. Surveillance footage tracked the vehicle traveling along the Las Vegas Strip shortly before the explosion.
Troubling Evidence
Inside the vehicle, authorities found firearms, fireworks, and personal items, including Livelsberger's military ID, passport, and credit cards. A note left by Livelsberger described the explosion as a "stunt" intended to serve as a "wake-up call" for America. He denied any intention to harm others, writing, "Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence," as reported by NPR.
Connections to Other Incidents
The explosion came just hours after a truck attack in New Orleans killed 14 people. Authorities are investigating potential links between the two incidents, as both involved rented vehicles and military personnel. However, no conclusive evidence has been found at this time to suggest that the incidents are related.
A Decorated Military Career
Livelsberger served in the Army since 2006, earning five Bronze Stars and other commendations during his service. He was stationed in Germany before taking leave in Colorado, where he rented the Cybertruck. Officials have confirmed he legally purchased the firearms found in the vehicle before the incident.
Investigation Ongoing
The FBI and LVMPD are continuing to investigate the explosion, focusing on Livelsberger's motives and any possible connections to broader threats. Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the Cybertruck's systems were functioning correctly at the time of the explosion and stated that the vehicle itself was not to blame.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the sequence of events leading up to the explosion and the motives behind it. Authorities have emphasized that the incident appears isolated, with no ongoing threat to the public.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
References: Tesla Cybertruck That Exploded in Front of Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Was Packed with Fireworks and Gas Canisters: Police | Investigation into Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas shows driver shot himself before the blast, officials say | The soldier who died in Cybertruck explosion wrote it was intended as a 'wakeup call'
