By: Margareth Thatcher Prajogo
On the early morning of January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fireworks exploded, in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas killing the driver, injuring 8 induviduals near the site, and causing hardly any damage on the hotel.
Authorities have identified the driver as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an US army beret. Livelsberger was an Army Special Forces soldier since 2006. Officals state that he was on active duty in Germany, but on leave during the incident. Officials have also identified some belongings including two firearms, passport, military ID, credit cards, a smartphone, smartwatch, and a number of fireworks.
Officials state that the Livelsberger shot himself in the head before detonating the fireworks. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill says that the 37-year-old likely had planned a more injuring attack, but most of the attack was absorbed by the vehicle. According to AP News, The damage was mostly inside the truck since the damage had “vented up and out,” and hadn’t damaged the doors much.
It was discovered that Livelsberger used ChatGPT to help with this attack. His devices, including laptop, smartphone, and watch are currently still under investigation. Officials discovered searches about the legality of fireworks, and more.
Livelsberger created notes on his device, stating that the explosions in front of Trump Hotel were meant to be a wake-up call for the nations issues, as he wrote that the “US was terminally ill and heading for collapse,” authorities say. Additionally, he had left notes explaining that he needed to “cleanse his mind” and “relieve himself of the brothers he had lost, and the lives he took.”
Authorities also concluded that Livelsberger had nothing against Trump himself.
Authorities believe that there aren’t any connections between the Trump Hotel attack and the New Orleans attack also occurring on New Years Day killing 14, and injuring another 35.