The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1 has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Colorado Springs resident, according to reports from The Gazette and KOAA. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terror.
Who was Matthew Livelsberger?
Livelsberger, linked to multiple addresses in Colorado Springs, has yet to be officially identified by law enforcement. Following the explosion, the FBI reportedly visited one of his associated addresses.
The incident resulted in Livelsberger’s death and left at least seven bystanders with minor injuries. The Cybertruck, rented through the Turo app, detonated in front of the Trump International Hotel, sparking concerns of a larger coordinated attack.
Potential links to the New Orleans attack
Investigators are probing connections to a New Year’s Eve tragedy in New Orleans, where a vehicle rented through the same app and displaying an ISIS flag was used in a fatal attack. The New Orleans incident, carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, claimed 15 lives before he was neutralized by police.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Sheriff Kevin McMahill acknowledged the possibility of a link between the two incidents, stating, “We’re absolutely investigating any connectivity to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks occurring worldwide.” President Joe Biden confirmed that law enforcement is also examining ties between the two tragedies.
Cooperation from Tesla CEO Elon Musk
Authorities praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his collaboration in the investigation. “He gave us a lot of information on how the vehicle was locked and helped us access video from Tesla charging stations nationwide,” McMahill stated. As the investigation unfolds, officials remain focused on uncovering whether these events represent a broader pattern of coordinated attacks.
