Tesla Cybertruck bomber Matthew Livelsberger had access to high-level intelligence and was part of a special forces military unit which oversaw the operations and maintenance of drones.
The 37-year-old shot himself in the head as the makeshift explosives he planted blew up around him outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day.
His body was charred beyond recognition and seven innocent victims were injured in the attack. Police chiefs credit Elon Musk’s Cybertruck for preventing further casualties.
Livelsberger was a decorated soldier and active member of the Army who had served in Afghanistan.
Over his 19 year military career, Livelsberger worked in several critical roles which granted him access to sensitive intelligence and data.
In November 2024, he accepted a role as a remote and autonomous systems manager while stationed at Camp Panzer Kaserne just southwest of Stuttgart, Germany.
In that job, he helped to integrate drones into the Army and ensured they were operated and maintained to a sufficient standard.
But prior to that, he was involved in intelligence and operations for the special forces for seven years.
The 37-year-old shot himself in the head as the makeshift explosives he planted blew up around him outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day
Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was identified as the bomber in the attack that left seven wounded. He is pictured in Afghanistan in a profile by a local newspaper in the Ohio town where he grew up
Livelsberger is suspected of renting the Tesla Cybertruck in Colorado Springs, via the Turo app, and driving it across the border to Nevada on Wednesday morning – where he carried out the attack (pictured)
Livelsberg is seen in another picture from his deployment
As part of this role, he conducted vulnerability assessments, cultural studies and technical data analysis.
Livelsberger was on a break from duty which allowed him to return to the US to carry out the plot.
The 37-year-old’s wife had not heard from him for several days, but relatives have since come forward to describe him as a ‘patriot’ who ‘loved Trump’ and his country.
Livelsberger is suspected of renting the Cybertruck in Colorado Springs and driving it across the border to Nevada on Wednesday morning to carry out his attack.
In a press conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the car arrived in Las Vegas at 7.30am. The explosion took place at 8.40am in the valet area outside the hotel.
At the scene of the explosion, charred fireworks, gas cannisters and camping fuel were found in the bed of the truck when authorities were finally able to put out the fire.
Police found credit cards, his passport and military ID on him. The weapons found in the truck were purchased legally on December 30, 2024.
Police are exploring whether Livelsberger was trying to send a message to incoming President Trump and Elon Musk.
Police found credit cards, his passport and military ID on him, but they are still referring to him as a person of interest as they await DNA confirmation
The body of Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was burned beyond recognition after he apparently blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas
Law enforcement sources have also revealed that Livelsberger previously served at the same military base as New Orleans terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar, who on Wednesday drove a rented truck into a crowd of New Year revelers, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens.
Moreover, both also served in Afghanistan in 2009 – however officials say they have seen no evidence they were in the same providence or unit. That remains under investigation.
Hours before Livelsberger’s explosion, Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, drove an electric vehicle into crowds in New Orleans.
The timing immediately sparked fears of a coordinated terror attack as the United States was still reeling from the violence on the streets of New Orleans.
The Texan-born terrorist had an ISIS flag draped on the back of the vehicle when he drove into the crowds.
Jabbar, a deranged US veteran, got out of his car and started firing a weapon. Investigators later added that they found what appeared to be improvised explosives at the crash site that did not detonate.
The cars used in both attacks were rented through Turo, and they were both EVs, prompting concerns they are linked.
‘Do I think it’s a coincidence? I don’t know,’ Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. ‘We’re absolutely looking into any connections to New Orleans.’
Police have released a series of photographs from inside the Cybertruck which blew up outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, revealing an arsenal of explosives
The 37-year-old man reportedly has a military background and served at the same base as Shamsud Din Jabbar (pictured), who fatally ran down 15 people in a rented car in New Orleans in the early hours of New Years Day
A Cybertruck – made by Trump ally Elon Musk’s company Tesla – was seen in a fiery blaze outside the front revolving doors of the Trump International Hotel on Wednesday
A spokesperson for Turo later issued a statement describing the company’s heartbreak ‘by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and our prayers are with the victims and families.
‘We are actively partnering with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents.
‘We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat.’
Officers shared a series of photographs taken from inside the car, revealing fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel were in the bed of the truck.
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