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A decorated Army Green Beret died by suicide moments before a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The explosion, which caused minor injuries to seven people, left the hotel undamaged due to the Cybertruck’s steel structure absorbing much of the blast. Authorities believe the soldier, identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, may have intended a more destructive attack.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill explained that the explosion primarily damaged the vehicle’s interior as it “vented out and up,” sparing the Trump hotel, which was only a few feet away.
Kenny Cooper, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives official, noted the crude nature of the explosive device, which was unexpected given Livelsberger’s military expertise. The motive for the incident remains under investigation.
“It’s notable that this occurred near the Trump property and involved a Tesla,” said Spencer Evans, Las Vegas FBI special agent in charge. “However, no evidence definitively links this to a specific ideology.”
Livelsberger, who had recently returned from Germany on approved leave, reportedly had a domestic dispute with his wife shortly before renting the Tesla and acquiring firearms, according to an anonymous law enforcement source.
Authorities identified Livelsberger’s charred remains inside the vehicle, where they found a handgun, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, military ID, and personal electronics. Both firearms were legally purchased. The Clark County coroner ruled his death a suicide.
Livelsberger had a distinguished 18-year military career, serving in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and several other countries. He was awarded five Bronze Stars, including one for valor, among other commendations.
Sheriff McMahill detailed Livelsberger’s movements, revealing he rented the Tesla in Denver and charged it in multiple locations across Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada before arriving in Las Vegas hours before the explosion.
Investigators confirmed through charging station photos that Livelsberger was alone during the journey. A search of his Colorado Springs residence revealed no immediate threats or signs of planning. Neighbors described him as a “normal guy” with no indication of dangerous behavior.
The Las Vegas incident occurred hours after a separate attack in New Orleans, where a man rammed a truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. Both Livelsberger and the New Orleans attacker had ties to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), but no connection between their actions has been found.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk clarified that the explosion resulted from large fireworks and was unrelated to the vehicle itself. Musk, a close associate of Donald Trump, had attended the former president’s New Year’s Eve event in Florida but was not in Las Vegas at the time of the explosion.
