US Army Confirms: Cybertruck Explosion Suspect is Special Forces

On Wednesday, January 1st, a Tesla Cybertruck explosion occurred in front of the Trump Tower in Las Vegas. On Thursday, the U.S. Army confirmed that the suspect was an active-duty soldier from the Army Special Forces. He died in the explosion.

According to the Army on Thursday, active-duty Green Beret soldier Matthew Livelsberger had served in the Army for 19 years. The “Green Berets” are the U.S. Army Special Forces responsible for conducting assault operations, attacking enemy key targets, performing reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines, and training foreign armies.

The Army stated that Livelsberger had served during the peak fighting periods in Afghanistan and Iraq, and had carried out combat deployment missions multiple times.

Based on the information provided by the Army, Livelsberger was a highly decorated soldier who had received awards such as the Bronze Star Medal.

He was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2017 to April 2018, and had also been sent to Ukraine, the Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Georgia.

Kevin McMahill, the sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responsible for the case, previously stated at a press conference that the suspect had rented a Tesla Cybertruck in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He then drove back and forth on Las Vegas Boulevard and stopped in front of the Trump Tower around 8:40 a.m.

McMahill said the vehicle exploded approximately 15 seconds after parking there. Subsequently, authorities found gas canisters, camping fuel tanks, and a large mortar fireworks launcher behind the vehicle. The incident resulted in the death of the driver and injuries to seven others. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The Cybertruck, unveiled in 2019, is an electric pickup truck known for its “tough” stainless steel frame and “bulletproof” armored glass.

According to the Army, Livelsberger joined the Army in January 2006 as a Special Forces candidate and served until March 2011. He then joined the National Guard and Army Reserve units from 2011 to December 2012. He later returned to active duty and became a Special Forces operator.

In a statement, the Army expressed their cooperation with federal and state investigators.

The explosion incident bears similarities to a terrorist attack that occurred in New Orleans a few hours prior. However, officials stated on Thursday that there is currently no evidence linking the two events.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia stated on Thursday, “At present, there is no clear connection between the attack in New Orleans and the attack in Las Vegas.”

The FBI, including the Denver Field Office, Colorado Springs Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Field Division, conducted searches in a residence in Colorado Springs on Thursday related to the explosion.

President Biden stated on Wednesday that federal authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between the deadly New Orleans incident and the Las Vegas explosion.

“We are tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas,” said Biden.

“Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are investigating this matter, including any potential connections to the New Orleans attack,” he added.

Jeremy Schwartz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Las Vegas field office, stated on Wednesday that the explosion incident at the Trump Hotel is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The rental car company Turo confirmed on Wednesday that the vehicles used in both incidents were rented through their car rental services platform.

Currently, the motive behind Livelsberger’s involvement in the explosion case remains unclear.