An American soldier, recognized for his distinguished military service, may have “shot himself in the head” while inside a Tesla Cybertruck that later erupted in flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, authorities reported.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill revealed at a press conference on Thursday that a handgun was found near the feet of the driver, believed to be Matthew Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado. Officials suggested the gunshot appeared self-inflicted and that Livelsberger might have intended to cause more extensive damage, but the Cybertruck’s steel frame absorbed much of the force from the rudimentary explosive device.
The explosion caused minimal damage outside the vehicle, with Sheriff McMahill stating that the blast “vented out and up,” sparing the Trump hotel doors located just a few feet away. “The level of sophistication is not what we would expect from someone with this type of military experience,” said Kenny Cooper, a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Among the charred remains of the vehicle, authorities found a second firearm, fireworks, a passport, military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Both firearms were reportedly purchased legally. While the body was burned beyond recognition, tattoos and identification documents strongly suggest the remains are those of Livelsberger, Sheriff McMahill added.
Livelsberger served as a Green Beret, part of the highly trained U.S. Army Special Forces tasked with counter-terrorism and training allied forces. He had a distinguished military career, serving overseas in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Livelsberger was the recipient of five Bronze Stars, one with a valor device for courage under fire, a Combat Infantry Badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor. At the time of his death, he was on approved leave.
Authorities detailed the events leading up to the explosion. Livelsberger rented the Tesla in Denver on Saturday and charged it at multiple locations, including Monument, Colorado, on Monday; Trinidad, Colorado, and towns in New Mexico along Interstate 40 on New Year’s Eve; and Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Kingman in Arizona on Wednesday. Surveillance footage confirmed the Cybertruck arriving on the Las Vegas Strip around 7:30 a.m. local time on the day of the incident, with Livelsberger driving alone.
Sheriff McMahill stated, “We’re not aware of any other individuals involved in this case,” as investigations continue. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has said there is no evidence linking the Cybertruck blast to a separate attack in New Orleans.
