A shocking incident unfolded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck explosion injured seven people. The driver of the vehicle, identified as active-duty US Army Green Beret Matthew Alan Livelsberger, reportedly shot himself in the head moments before the blast, according to reports.
Driver’s Background and Incident Details
Livelsberger, who was serving in Germany with the 10th Special Forces Group, was on leave at the time of the incident. Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed during a news conference that the driver had taken his own life before the explosion occurred. While McMahill and other officials referred to him as the “subject” or “person of interest,” they displayed Livelsberger’s photo and shared his name during the briefing.
Sheriff McMahill stated, “I will not come back until I have the confirmation through DNA or medical records that this is indeed, in fact, the subject inside of the vehicle.”
The US Army released a statement confirming that Livelsberger was on leave at the time of his death but did not explicitly connect his death to the Las Vegas explosion. Known as the “Green Berets,” the US Special Forces are an elite unit specializing in guerrilla warfare and unconventional tactics.
Investigation and Motivation
According to the LA Times, Livelsberger acted alone, and authorities are still investigating his motives. Officials have not found any immediate connection between this incident and other recent attacks.
Elon Musk’s Response to the Cybertruck’s Performance
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the Cybertruck’s robust design, which mitigated the blast’s impact. Musk stated, “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.”
Biden’s Statement on Investigation
US President Joe Biden also commented on the ongoing investigation, which is probing any possible links between the Las Vegas explosion and another attack in New Orleans. However, he clarified, “No evidence of such a connection has been found thus far.”
Current Status
The tragic incident has raised questions about Livelsberger’s motivations and the circumstances surrounding his actions. Authorities continue to investigate the explosion, aiming to uncover the reasons behind this shocking event.
