Date: January 2, 2025, 07:23h.
Last updated on: January 2, 2025, 07:23h.
The individual inside a Tesla parked outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas committed suicide by shooting himself before causing a massive explosion on New Year’s Day, authorities disclosed on Thursday.
The deceased, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, an active-duty Army soldier residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, died from injuries sustained in the Cybertruck.
Unrecognizably Burned
According to the autopsy conducted by the Clark County coroner’s office, signs of a gunshot wound were evident. His body was mostly unrecognizable due to the fire and explosion.
“He was burned beyond recognition,” shared Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill during a press conference on Thursday.
Despite severe burns, two tattoos were still visible on his body, one on the stomach and another on an arm. Among the items found in the Cybertruck were his military ID, passport, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Additionally, two semi-automatic handguns were discovered, legally purchased by Livelsberger on December 30, as confirmed by the ATF.
Fireworks and accelerants were also present in the vehicle.
The presence of tattoos, documents, and personal items led authorities to believe on Thursday that Livelsberger was the individual who perished in the truck. Evidence from photos taken of him traveling from Colorado to Las Vegas further supports his identification.
However, final confirmation will rely on DNA tests and medical records.
High Level of Confidence in Identity
Regarding Livelsberger’s identity, Sheriff McMahill stated, “I still do not have confirmation, 100%, that that is the individual that was inside of our vehicle.” Nevertheless, he expressed “a lot of confidence” in identifying the deceased as Livelsberger.
Authorities also revealed that Livelsberger rented the Cybertruck in Denver, Colorado, on December 28 and his route was traced. Traveling alone, he departed from Colorado on December 30, journeying through New Mexico and then Arizona.
The truck was first sighted in Las Vegas at 7:29 a.m. on Wednesday, and by 7:34 a.m., it was on Fashion Show Drive in the city. Subsequently, Livelsberger drove into the valet area of the Trump International Hotel, proceeding onto Las Vegas Boulevard.
At around 8:39 a.m., he returned to the Trump Hotel’s valet area. Seventeen seconds later, the explosion occurred. Besides Livelsberger’s death, seven individuals in the vicinity sustained minor injuries, leading to the evacuation of the hotel.
FBI agent Spencer Evans emphasized on Thursday that determining the man’s motive is the highest priority.
Comparisons with New Orleans Incident
There are notable similarities between the New Orleans assailant on Wednesday, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, and Livelsberger.
Both men were stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, although the timeline of their service at the military base remains unclear. They each served in Afghanistan during 2009, but there is no evidence suggesting they were in the same regions or units. Additionally, it was revealed that Livelsberger held the position of Green Berets operations sergeant.
Furthermore, both individuals utilized the same rental app, Turo, to acquire the trucks utilized in the violent incidents. Jabbar caused at least 15 fatalities after driving into pedestrians on Bourbon Street, resulting in numerous injuries, many severe.
During a press briefing in New Orleans on Thursday, Christopher Raia, an FBI deputy assistant director in the counterterrorism division, emphasized that there is currently no definitive connection between the attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. However, he acknowledged that the investigation is still in its early stages.
“We are following up on all potential leads and not ruling everything out,” Raia added.
In a departure from earlier statements, the FBI disclosed on Thursday that Jabbar appears to have acted independently in the fatal New Orleans attack, with no accomplices involved.