Active-duty soldier behind Tesla explosion at Trump Hotel in Vegas

Las Vegas authorities have identified the man behind the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel on New Year's Day as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty US special forces soldier. The incident, which injured seven people, occurred when the vehicle filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars detonated.

The Clark County Coroner's office confirmed that Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before the explosion. Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the incident as "a suicide with a bombing that occurred immediately after" during a January 2 press conference, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The explosion, which took place outside the hotel near a glass entrance, caused only minor injuries due to the Cybertruck's design. "The Cybertruck helped contain the explosion, sending it vertical rather than outward," Sheriff McMahill explained. "The nearby glass doors and windows of the hotel did not shatter in the blast."

Investigating the incident

Authorities are still working to determine a motive. A military ID, passport, two semi-automatic pistols, fireworks, an iPhone, a smart watch, and several credit cards in Livelsberger's name were recovered from the charred vehicle. Sheriff McMahill said the body in the vehicle was "burnt beyond recognition" but identified by tattoos matching those Livelsberger had.

Livelsberger, a decorated Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, had decades of military experience, including service in Afghanistan in 2009. He was on approved leave from his post in Germany at the time of the incident and had recently been in Colorado to visit his wife and eight-month-old daughter.

His father, speaking to CBS, said, "I last spoke to my son at Christmas, and everything seemed normal."

Tracking movements

Livelsberger rented the Cybertruck in Denver, Colorado, on December 28 and drove it over 800 miles to Las Vegas. Investigators traced his route using Tesla's charging technology, which logged his stops along the way. He was the sole driver of the vehicle.

The sheriff noted several parallels between this incident and a truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that left 14 dead. Both suspects served at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and in Afghanistan in 2009. However, no evidence suggests they were in the same unit or region during their service. Both incidents also involved vehicles rented through Turo.

"We don't believe there's any further threat from this subject or anybody associated to him here in Las Vegas," Sheriff McMahill reassured.

The investigation is ongoing as officials work to piece together the circumstances and motives behind the tragedy.

By Vugar Khalilov