Michael Livelsberger, an Army soldier with numerous accolades, was inside a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fireworks that detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Authorities indicated that he shot himself in the head just before the explosion took place. The incident resulted in minor injuries for seven individuals, but the hotel sustained little to no damage. According to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, Matthew Livelsberger, a Green Beret, likely had plans for a more devastating attack, but the steel structure of the vehicle absorbed much of the impact from the makeshift explosive. As stated by the sheriffs, the damage caused by the explosion was primarily confined to the inside of the truck since the blast “vented out and up,” avoiding direct impact with the Trump hotel doors located just a short distance away.
A firearm was found at the feet of the person in the driver’s seat, who officials believe to be Livelsberger, 37, from Colorado. Authorities indicated that the gunshot appeared to be self-inflicted. According to a U.S. official, Livelsberger had recently returned from an assignment in Germany and was on approved leave at his death. A law enforcement source mentioned that investigators learned through interviews that he might have had an argument with his wife regarding relationship matters just before he rented the Tesla and purchased the firearms. The official requested anonymity because they could not discuss the ongoing investigation.
Investigators discovered several charred items inside the truck, including a second firearm, fireworks, a passport, a military identification card, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch, as reported by McMahill. Authorities confirmed that both guns were purchased legally. The remains were incinerated to the point of being unidentifiable. While the investigators haven’t conclusively confirmed the identity as Livelsberger, the identification cards and tattoos “strongly suggest that it is him,” according to the sheriff.
Livelsberger was a member of the Green Berets, a specialized forces unit trained to combat terrorism worldwide and train allied forces. According to the Army, he joined the Unit in 2006. He had a distinguished career with numerous overseas assignments, including two deployments to Afghanistan and service in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo. He earned five Bronze Stars, one of which was awarded with a valor device for bravery under fire, a combat infantry badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor. McMahill said Livelsberger rented a Tesla electric vehicle in Denver on Saturday. On Monday, the sheriff presented a map showing that the car was charged in Monument, Colorado, near Colorado Springs. On New Year’s Eve, it was charged in Trinidad, Colorado, and three New Mexico towns along the Interstate 40 corridor.
