The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Army Special Forces veteran from Colorado Springs, according to multiple sources.
Livelsberger died in the blast, according to the sources. Police are yet to officially confirm the identity of the deceased individual and are working through forensics to verify the identity.
Local news sources confirm a property linked to Livelsberger on the east side of Colorado Springs was being searched by FBI agents.
Seven others were inflicted with minor injuries when the trash can Cybertruck, filled with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters, exploded in the valet area of Trump International Hotel about 8:40 a.m. local time.
Livelsberger rented the silver Tesla Cybertuck in Colorado via the carsharing company Turo.
- Las Vegas County Sheriff Kevin McMahill highlighted the link between Trump and Elon Musk and noted there were lots of questions to be asked and answered.
- Musk praised the Cybertruck for containing the blast. “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards,” he wrote in a post on X.
- The sheriff said Tesla CEO Elon Musk helped the investigation by having the truck unlocked after it auto-locked in the blast and by giving investigators video of the suspect at charging stations along its route from Colorado to Las Vegas.
McMahill said police believe the explosion was an “isolated incident” and that “there is no further threat to the community.” He also said police do not believe anyone was helping the Las Vegas suspect.
