Authorities have identified the driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas as Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Green Beret and decorated army soldier. The tragic incident occurred on January 1, 2025, and has left investigators piecing together details surrounding the event.
Incident Overview
According to police reports, Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound moments before the Cybertruck, packed with fireworks, detonated. The explosion caused minor injuries to seven individuals, though the hotel remained largely undamaged due to the truck’s steel-sided construction, which absorbed much of the blast’s force.
“The explosion vented out and up, sparing the hotel doors just meters away,” said Spencer Evans, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Las Vegas. Investigators believe Livelsberger may have intended a more destructive attack.
Investigation Findings
Among the charred remains inside the vehicle, authorities discovered a handgun at Livelsberger’s feet, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Both firearms had been purchased legally.
Authorities are still working to determine Livelsberger’s motive. Interviews revealed that he may have argued with his partner over relationship issues shortly before renting the Tesla and purchasing the guns.
While the proximity to the Trump hotel and the use of a Tesla vehicle initially raised questions, Evans stated, “We don’t have information at this point that definitively suggests a connection to a particular ideology.”
Livelsberger’s Military Background
Matthew Livelsberger had a distinguished military career, having served in the U.S. Army since 2006. As a Green Beret, he specialized in counterterrorism operations and the training of allied forces abroad. He completed multiple overseas assignments, including deployments to Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo.
Livelsberger’s accolades include five Bronze Stars, one with a valor device for courage under fire, a Combat Infantryman Badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor. He had recently returned from an assignment in Germany and was on approved leave at the time of his death.
Community Reaction
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities searched Livelsberger’s residence in Colorado, where he lived with his wife and infant. Neighbors expressed shock, describing him as a quiet individual who gave no indication of posing a danger to others.
The tragic death of Matthew Livelsberger highlights the complexities of mental health issues, even among highly trained and decorated military personnel. While investigators work to uncover his motive, the incident has left a profound impact on those who knew him and the wider community.
Source: Euronews
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