Authorities are piecing together the details of an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. The incident, which occurred early Wednesday morning, involved a decorated U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, who died at the scene. As federal and local law enforcement agencies continue their investigation, more details about Livelsberger’s background, movements, and military service have come to light.
Explosion Details
The explosion occurred in the valet area of the Trump hotel. According to investigators, Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, shot himself in the head moments before the blast. The Cybertruck, packed with fireworks mortars, camp fuel canisters, and other explosive materials, vented the blast upwards, limiting damage to the hotel and surrounding structures. Seven people nearby sustained minor injuries.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that the truck’s steel-sided construction absorbed much of the explosive force. Items recovered from the vehicle included a second firearm, a passport, a military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Both firearms in the vehicle were legally purchased.
Sheriff McMahill described the level of sophistication in the explosive device as rudimentary, stating, “The level of sophistication is not what we would expect from an individual with this type of military experience.”
Livelsberger’s Final Movements
Investigators tracked Livelsberger’s journey using Tesla charging station records. He rented the Cybertruck in Denver on Saturday, December 28. The vehicle was charged in several locations, including Monument, Colorado, on Monday; Trinidad, Colorado; Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Gallup, New Mexico, on New Year’s Eve; and Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Kingman, Arizona, on New Year’s Day.
Video surveillance captured the truck arriving on the Las Vegas Strip around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, shortly before the explosion. Authorities confirmed through charging station photographs that Livelsberger was the sole driver throughout the journey.
FBI Investigation in Colorado Springs
Following the explosion, the FBI conducted operations at a townhouse complex in the Stetson Hills neighborhood of Colorado Springs, one of several addresses associated with Livelsberger. Armored vehicles and agents in tactical gear were seen at the scene, and neighbors were temporarily escorted from the area.
Despite the heavy law enforcement presence, police emphasized there was no known threat to the community. Residents described the area as typically quiet. One neighbor, Brooklyn Valdez, said, “We’ve been here for four years, and while we’ve noticed some cop cars recently, this type of activity is unusual.”
Livelsberger’s Military Career
The U.S. Army confirmed Livelsberger’s identity and detailed his extensive military service. He enlisted in January 2006 as an 18X recruit, a designation for those entering Special Forces training. Over his career, Livelsberger served in various capacities, including active duty, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve, before rejoining active duty in December 2012.
At the time of his death, Livelsberger was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Stuttgart, Germany. He had been on approved leave when the explosion occurred.
Livelsberger’s military decorations include:
- Bronze Star Medal with Valor (awarded for acts of heroism under fire)
- Four additional Bronze Star Medals
- Meritorious Service Medal (awarded for exceptional performance of duty)
- Army Commendation Medal with Valor (for extraordinary heroism)
- Three additional Army Commendation Medals
- Two Army Achievement Medals (for meritorious service or achievement)
- Five Army Good Conduct Medals
- National Defense Service Medal
- Three Afghanistan Campaign Medals with campaign stars
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (x3)
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- Two NATO Medals (awarded for service in NATO-led missions)
- Special Forces Tab (for completing Special Forces Qualification Course)
- Combat Infantryman Badge (awarded for engagement in active ground combat)
- Parachutist Badge
- Freefall Badge
During his career, Livelsberger deployed twice to Afghanistan and served in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo, among other overseas assignments.
No Links to Broader Threats
The explosion in Las Vegas occurred hours after a separate terrorist attack in New Orleans, where a driver rammed a truck into a crowd, killing 15 people. Authorities initially explored potential connections between Livelsberger and the New Orleans attack. Both Livelsberger and the New Orleans suspect, Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, had spent time at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), a major Army base in North Carolina. However, the FBI found no overlap in their assignments at the base and no evidence linking the two incidents.
Chris Raia, FBI deputy assistant director, stated Thursday, “Officials have found no definitive link between the New Orleans attack and the truck explosion in Las Vegas.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate Livelsberger’s motives and whether he intended to cause additional harm. Officials suspect that the steel-sided Cybertruck may have unintentionally contained the blast, preventing more widespread damage.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk issued a statement on X, clarifying that the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle itself. Musk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, was not in Las Vegas at the time of the explosion but had attended Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at his Florida estate.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together Livelsberger’s actions and motivations in the days leading up to the explosion. Federal and state agencies have pledged full cooperation but have refrained from commenting further on ongoing inquiries.
This story is developing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
