JUST IN: Alleged Trump Hotel ‘Bomber’ Suffered Gunshot Wound Before Tesla Exploded
The alleged perpetrator behind the New Year’s Day explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has been identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a U.S. Army veteran with a background in special forces. The blast, which took place in the early hours of January 1, claimed Livelsberger’s life, injured seven bystanders, and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed during a press conference that Livelsberger had rented the Tesla Cybertruck used in the attack in Colorado before driving it to Las Vegas. The vehicle’s trunk was found to contain an improvised explosive device constructed from liquid fuel and fireworks, wired to detonate from the driver’s seat. “We also discovered through the coroner’s office that the individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation of the vehicle,” McMahill said. A handgun was recovered at Livelsberger’s feet.
The FBI executed a search warrant at a townhouse in Colorado Springs linked to Livelsberger. He was associated with multiple addresses in the city, and federal agents, along with heavily armed law enforcement personnel, cordoned off the area. Residents were urged to stay clear of the scene as investigators sift through evidence. Officials assured the public that there is no immediate threat to the Colorado Springs community.
WATCH:
Livelsberger’s military service adds another dimension to the ongoing probe. According to a statement from the U.S. Army, Livelsberger served in active duty and various reserve roles, including a stint in the Army’s Special Operations Command. He was reportedly on approved leave at the time of the attack. While law enforcement agencies are still piecing together a motive, early reports suggest Livelsberger displayed erratic behavior in the weeks leading up to the incident.
The sheriff reported that the damage from the explosion was largely confined to the truck’s interior, as the explosion “vented out and up” and spared the nearby doors of the Trump hotel. Kenny Cooper, a special agent in charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, commented on the bomber’s methods, saying, “The level of sophistication is not what we would expect from an individual with this type of military experience.”
The investigation has also expanded to explore potential links between the Las Vegas explosion and a deadly attack in New Orleans that occurred the same day. In New Orleans, 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers, killing 15 and injuring dozens more. Both vehicles were rented through the same car-sharing service, Turo, prompting questions about whether the attacks were coordinated. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police, and authorities recovered an ISIS flag and improvised explosive devices from his truck and multiple locations in the city.
In addition to the physical evidence, investigators are delving into Livelsberger’s digital footprint. Social media posts and online activity are being analyzed to uncover any political or ideological motives