On Wednesday morning, a devastating event unfolded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, leading to the tragic death of a U.S. Army Green Beret.
Master Sgt. Matthew Alan Livelsberger, age 37, was found deceased at the scene.
Seven others sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident, confirmed Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Incident Details
Witnesses reported that shortly after 8 a.m., Livelsberger had parked a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck in front of the hotel when smoke began to rise ominously from the vehicle.
Moments later, a powerful explosion obliterated the Cybertruck.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the truck contained firework mortars and canisters of camp fuel.
Investigation Underway
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, stated that the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb situated in the bed of the Cybertruck, noting that it had no connection to any malfunction of the vehicle itself.
The FBI’s Las Vegas office, represented by acting special agent Jeremy Schwartz, announced an investigation aimed at determining whether the blast could be classified as an act of terrorism.
At the time of the explosion, Livelsberger was on approved leave from his duties as a special forces operations sergeant with the 10th Special Forces Group, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany.
Military Background
Livelsberger’s military career began in January 2006 when he enlisted as a special forces candidate.
He served nearly 19 years overall, spending a considerable amount of that time on active duty until March 2011, before continuing his service in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
His distinguished career included deployments to Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo, earning him numerous accolades for his bravery.
These honors included two Bronze Stars—one awarded with a valor device—along with a Combat Infantry Badge and an Army Commendation Medal with valor.
Local sources indicated that Livelsberger lived in Colorado Springs.
In connection with the Las Vegas explosion, the FBI’s Denver office, collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and the Colorado Springs Police Department, executed a search operation at a residence.
In a related development, President Joe Biden announced that investigators are looking into any potential links between this explosion and a separate incident in New Orleans, where a truck plowed into a crowd, claiming 15 lives.
Biden confirmed that law enforcement and intelligence agencies were assessing possible connections between both tragedies.
Interestingly, both Livelsberger and the Army veteran alleged to be behind the New Orleans attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had connections to Fort Liberty in North Carolina, a hub for U.S. Special Operations Command.
However, reports indicate there was no overlap in their assignments at the base.
Both men had rented their vehicles through the Turo app for their respective incidents.
Turo has noted its dedication to assisting law enforcement during these investigations, adding that there were no signs indicating either renter posed a security threat.
Authorities believe that Livelsberger and Jabbar did not know each other.
Source: Militarytimes