Questions remain as investigators search for motive behind Cybertruck explosion
Investigators are still trying to determine what led an active-duty U.S. Army soldier to rent a Tesla Cybertruck and drive it to the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, where he appeared to shoot himself in the head before the vehicle exploded on New Year’s Day. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill identified 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a person of interest in the case. However, he stopped short of labeling him as a suspect until DNA matches the remains found in the Cybertruck with Livelsberger.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. when the Cybertruck pulled up to the hotel’s valet entrance and then exploded just 17 seconds later. The explosion was accompanied by fireworks shooting from the bulletproof truck. McMahill revealed that the truck contained camping fuel, gasoline, and fireworks but did not damage the body of the truck itself other than the glass and bed cover. Fortunately, the glass doors of the hotel remained intact, and only seven bystanders suffered minor injuries.
McMahill indicated that the individual in the truck sustained a gunshot wound to the head before the explosion, and a handgun was found at his feet inside the vehicle. While the sheriff refrained from definitively calling it a suicide mission, he described it as “a suicide with a bombing that occurred immediately thereafter.”
The FBI conducted a search of Livelsberger’s home in Colorado Springs to uncover more information about his motives and how he ended up in Las Vegas. Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans stated that while the incident raised concerns, there was no conclusive evidence tying it to any particular ideology or reasoning.
Livelsberger, who had recently returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on approved leave at the time of his death, had reportedly been involved in a dispute with his wife over relationship issues shortly before renting the Tesla and purchasing the handguns found in the truck.
Born in Ohio, Livelsberger was a former athlete who transitioned to a career in the U.S. Army, where he served as a communications officer with the Special Forces. He was described by his uncle as a patriot with exceptional skills in explosives. Dean Livelsberger mentioned that his nephew could have created a more sophisticated explosive device if he had intended to cause more harm, given his military training.
Livelsberger was a highly decorated soldier, having received numerous awards and honors during his time in the U.S. Army. His military accolades included the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge, among others.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Tesla Cybertruck explosion at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas continues, as authorities work to unravel the complexities of this tragic incident.
