Las Vegas, NV – Police and federal agents are expanding their probe into the fiery explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, zeroing in on a possible suspect who rented the vehicle in Colorado. While investigators have not yet confirmed the individual’s identity, they say leads have taken them across at least four states—including Colorado—and possibly beyond U.S. borders.
Here’s what we know so far about the suspect, the ongoing investigation, and the implications of this unsettling incident.
- Date and Location: The explosion occurred on Wednesday, January 1, just after 8:30 a.m. local time, in the porte cochère area (covered driveway) of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
- Casualties: One person—believed to be the driver—was killed, and at least seven bystanders sustained minor injuries from flying debris, smoke, and shock waves.
- Vehicle Used: A 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, which investigators say was rented via the Turo car-sharing app.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department described the blast as a “singular incident,” adding that police believe there is “no further threat to the community.” Nevertheless, local and federal investigators are looking into whether the tragic event had ties to the earlier New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans.
The Suspect: Matthew Livelsberger
- Named Renter: Matthew Livelsberger
A law enforcement official, speaking to ABC News on condition of anonymity, said the 2024 Cybertruck was rented by a person identified in Turo’s records as Matthew Livelsberger, believed to be 37 years old and from Colorado Springs, Colorado. - Military Service
Preliminary data suggests the individual may have served in the Army. His full service record is under urgent review by the Department of Defense. If confirmed, that would mirror the New Orleans suspect’s Army background, making investigators even more intent on exploring whether the two men had any operational or ideological overlap. - Identity Challenges
The severity of the explosion has made it difficult to confirm that Livelsberger himself was driving at the time of the incident—or whether someone else might have taken possession of the Cybertruck. The driver was the only fatality, but the body was badly damaged. Forensic pathologists are working to match fingerprints, dental records, and DNA to confirm the deceased’s identity beyond doubt. - Travel from Colorado to Las Vegas
Sheriff McMahill revealed that license plate readers and Tesla’s own charging station video logs traced the truck’s route from Colorado to Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. Tesla CEO Elon Musk later stated that Tesla’s data shows the driver made multiple stops to charge the vehicle along the way, providing a timeline for law enforcement to reconstruct the journey.
Expanding Investigation: Colorado and Beyond
Authorities have now extended their search to Colorado, where the Cybertruck was rented and presumably where the renter may have lived or prepared for the alleged attack. The FBI, alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), is leading an extensive operation in the Colorado Springs area, sources told ABC News.
Key Components of the Investigation:
- Forensic Analysis: Investigators hope to find evidence of explosive residue, leftover packaging for fireworks, or other bomb-making materials in the suspect’s Colorado residence or storage unit.
- Digital Footprint: Agents are combing through phone records, computer data, and social media accounts. They also want to see if the suspect posted any extremist ideology or manifestos online, especially after the New Orleans suspect was discovered to have an ISIS flag in his vehicle.
- Interviews and Tips: Former roommates, family members, and associates in Colorado may shed light on whether the suspect acted alone or had a network of accomplices.
Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Motive
The precise motive behind the Las Vegas incident remains unclear. Sheriff McMahill noted that the bed of the Cybertruck contained a combination of “fireworks-style mortars, gasoline cans, and camping fuel canisters.” Officials believe the items were deliberately set up to ignite—far exceeding what one might call a “harmless fireworks stash.”
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Why the Trump Hotel?
The location raises questions. The property has been a frequent site of protests and is well-known for its connection to President-elect Donald Trump, who is due to take office later this month. Could this have been a politically motivated attack? Investigators say it’s too early to conclude. Officially, the FBI’s working theory is that it was “intentional,” but they remain open to multiple scenarios, including mental health crises, personal vendettas, or ideological extremism.
Elon Musk’s Involvement
Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, said Tesla’s engineering team is assisting authorities by analyzing any data from the truck’s onboard systems. Musk stressed that “the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb” placed in the bed, not a malfunction of the vehicle’s battery. Meanwhile, some online speculation had pointed to a battery fire, but both local officials and Musk claim that scenario is “not supported by initial evidence.”
Turo
Turo, the peer-to-peer car rental platform, emerged as a critical detail in both the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks. Officials from Turo confirmed they are cooperating with law enforcement:
“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,” the company said in a statement, underscoring that it screens for certain red flags but relies partly on user honesty. Turo has promised to enhance its risk assessment protocol if the FBI’s findings suggest lapses in the system.
In both events, the suspects apparently booked expensive and relatively new vehicles—one a Ford F-150 Lightning in New Orleans, the other a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas. Investigators are probing whether they chose electric vehicles to exploit their novelty or their large cargo capacity for hidden explosives, or whether it was coincidence.
Statements From Officials
- Sheriff Kevin McMahill, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police:
“We believe it’s an isolated incident, but we can’t rule out connections. The suspect’s identity remains a priority, as does tracing their motives and associations. The people of Las Vegas can rest assured there is no immediate threat.” - Jeremy Schwartz, Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge (Las Vegas):
“We have not labeled this event as terrorism officially, but we are investigating every angle, including potential extremist ties, mental health factors, and personal motives. We appreciate the public’s patience.” - President Joe Biden:
While not specifically addressing the Cybertruck explosion, he acknowledged that the FBI is comparing notes with the New Orleans investigation, seeking to confirm or deny any ISIS-inspired link. - Eric Trump, Trump Organization:
“Safety of our guests and staff is our top priority,” he said, praising first responders for quickly securing the premises.
As of Thursday morning, the focus has shifted to Colorado—specifically the Colorado Springs area—where the suspect or suspects might have assembled materials for the blast. Federal sources confirm that law enforcement has also expanded inquiries into at least three other states, plus possible international ties.
Questions to Be Answered:
- Identity Confirmation: Was the driver indeed the named renter, Matthew Livelsberger, and if so, what was his motive or mental state?
- Co-Conspirators: Did others help plan or facilitate the explosion? So far, no evidence points to accomplices, but the FBI remains cautious.
- Connection to New Orleans: Are these two tragedies—occurring hours apart—truly separate events, or do they share a deeper link?
- Political or Ideological Motive: With the truck exploding at a property tied to President-elect Trump, was this a statement of protest or an act of political violence?
Officials caution that it may take weeks, if not months, to piece together a clear timeline and motive. The investigation includes ballistic tests on recovered fragments of fireworks, analysis of phone records, and possibly interviews with the suspect’s family or friends in Colorado.
The Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion has sent shockwaves through a city already braced for heightened security amid major events and a changing political climate. Law enforcement’s swift mobilization—the FBI, ATF, local police—speaks to the seriousness with which they’re treating the possibility of terror or an ideologically driven act. However, as Sheriff McMahill reiterated, “It could be an isolated tragedy; we just don’t know yet.”
Meanwhile, the families of the injured bystanders are breathing sighs of relief that their loved ones escaped with minor injuries. The identity—and motives—of the driver remain the largest unanswered puzzle piece. As investigators fan out across Colorado and other states, the public awaits further developments, hoping this incident proves to be an outlier rather than part of a broader threat.
