Authorities said Thursday that they had focused on a distinguished U.S. Army soldier as part of their investigation into an explosion that rocked the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas and killed one person, but that important facts, such as the incident’s motive, were still elusive.
A Tesla Cybertruck exploded when an improvised device detonated in the truck’s bed, and officials reported during a news conference that identification belonging to the soldier, Matthew Alan Livelsberger, was discovered at the scene. The Cybertruck was rented by Livelsberger via the internet service Turo.
Prior to the press briefing, NBC News was informed by two high-ranking law enforcement officials that Livelsberger was the deceased person.
While acknowledging social media rumors about Livelsberger, 37, a master sergeant in the U.S. Army’s elite special forces unit and Colorado Springs resident, Clark County/Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill said there was no immediate evidence that he was involved in a larger operation.
McMahill said reporters, “We don’t think there’s any other threat or anyone associated with him in Las Vegas.”
Despite the fact that the body in the Cybertruck was severely charred, authorities said that a military ID, a passport, and credit cards discovered at the scene were all in Livelsberger’s name. Although the identity of the body has not yet been confirmed by DNA or medical records, investigators have additional evidence, such as tattoos on the deceased’s arms and stomach, that Livelsberger had passed away. Two pistols, including a semiautomatic pistol and a.50-caliber Desert Eagle, were also found by the authorities.
One of the weapons was discovered at the deceased’s feet, and McMahill stated that the head wound on the body recovered from the Cybertruck appeared to be self-inflicted.
The firearms were linked to Livelsberger, who legally bought them on December 30, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Although the components of the explosive device appear to contain consumer-grade fireworks, mortars, and aerial shells, ATF officials stated that they are still looking into it and sorting through the debris.
Three senior law enforcement officials stated on Wednesday that the incident was being looked into as a potential terrorist assault.
One tip that officials have been reviewing, according to Spencer Evans, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas field office, was “alluding to this person’s experiences related to his time in the military.”
According to an Army official, Livelsberger was on authorized leave from his base in Germany and assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He joined the Army in 2006, returned to active service in December 2012, and served in the Army Reserve and National Guard before being considered for a Green Beret.
According to a statement from the agency, federal law enforcement officers started searching a home in Colorado Springs related to the case earlier Thursday and were anticipated to remain there for several hours.
The FBI stated on X that this conduct is connected to the Las Vegas explosion, but they would not elaborate.
A few hours before to the Las Vegas explosion, a motorist in New Orleans crashed a pickup truck into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 14 people and injuring over 30 more before being shot dead by police. In the rear of the pickup truck was a flag belonging to the terrorist organization Islamic State.
Officials said they think the driver in New Orleans, who was identified Wednesday as a Texas U.S. Army veteran, acted alone.
During his lengthy military service, Livelsberger was deployed to Afghanistan in 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Republic of Congo in 2014, Ukraine in 2016, and Tajikistan in 2016.
He received numerous Bronze Star medals from the military, including at least one for valor—which indicates that he witnessed combat and was deemed to have served with distinction or individual excellence.
Both the Tesla and the pickup truck involved in the Las Vegas explosion were hired from Turo, according to officials on Wednesday.
In a statement, the business stated it is helping the investigation.
We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat, the statement said.
Additionally, federal officials stated on Thursday that they had not discovered any connection between the two incidents.
“At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas,” Chris Raia, the deputy assistant director of the FBI s counterterrorism division,told reportersduring a news conference updating on the investigation into the New Orleans attack.
Still, the fact that the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas came just hours apart and both appeared to involve military members with somewhat similar backgrounds has been noted by officials.
“If these turn out to be similarities, very strange similarities to have,” McMahill said.
Authorities said Livelsberger rented the Tesla in Denver three days after Christmas and charged the electric vehicle near Colorado Springs on Monday. He charged it again in towns along Interstate 40 in New Mexico and Arizona before arriving in Las Vegas early Wednesday.
The Cybertruck ignited within 17 seconds of arriving at the valet at the Trump International Hotel, McMahill said. The explosion was reported at about 8:40 a.m. local time; seven bystanders were hurt, but their injuries were considered minor.
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