Seven bystanders were left wounded when a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fuel canisters and firework mortars exploded at the porte cochère of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The terrorist who was driving the vehicle was also found dead inside it. The instance transpired outside the president-elect’s property near the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
An electric vehicle arrived at the glass entrance of the building prior to a massive blast, as reported by Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill. He confirmed that there was “one deceased individual inside the Cybertruck,” while seven individuals sustained “minor” injuries. Video evidence depicted the stainless steel truck stationed at the hotel entrance before it erupted in flames, accompanied by smaller explosions resembling fireworks.
BREAKING: Full video of Cybertruck exploding outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/4neVZsldGC
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) January 1, 2025
Meanhwile, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla informed that the perpetrators made an erroneous choice in selecting the vehicle to implement their sinister scheme. “Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken,” he added.
The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2025
Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken. https://t.co/9vj1JdcRZV
Previously, Elon Musk stated that the entire senior team at Tesla is conducting an inquiry into the occurrence, remarking, “We have never encountered anything of this nature before.”
Police thank Musk for providing crucial information, aiding in the investigation
Notably, authorities in Las Vegas expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for his support in the investigation surrounding the explosion. According to Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill, Tesla contributed vital security footage of the vehicle from various charging stations and additional relevant data during the initial stages of the probe.
🚨 LAS VEGAS POLICE THANK ELON:
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 2, 2025
“I have to thank Elon Musk specifically. He gave us quite a bit of additional information in regards to how the vehicle was locked after it exploded.. as well as being able to capture all the video from the Tesla charging stations across the… pic.twitter.com/Xdjrp3kRfN
“I have to thank Elon Musk specifically. He gave us quite a bit of additional information in regards to how the vehicle was locked after it exploded, due to the nature of the force from the explosion as well as being able to capture all the video from the Tesla charging stations across the country. He sent that truck directly to us, so I appreciate his help on that,” the senior official stated in a press briefing held on the evening of 1st January.
According to police reports, the truck, which was rented in Colorado, reached the city on the morning of 1st January, arriving less than two hours prior to the blast. The assailant positioned the vehicle in front of the hotel, next to a glass entrance, at which point it started to release smoke before eventually blasting due to the explosives contained within. However, law enforcement officials declared that they are still in the process of identifying the cause of the explosion.
During an evening address, President Joe Biden indicated that the White House was keeping a close watch on the incident, and law enforcement was examining “whether there is any possible connection to the attack in New Orleans,” which claimed 15 lives on New Year’s Day.
Media calls it ‘Cybertruck explosion’, Elon Musk threatens lawsuit
On the other hand, media particularly in the United States and West, characterized the event as a ‘cybertruck explosion,’ implying that the vehicle had exploded and inflicted damage.
After some X users highlighted how US media is using the term ‘Cybertruck exploded’ in reporting the news where explosives were kept and possibly detonated inside a Cybertruck, Tesla boss Elon Musk posted that he should be suing the media outlets for their deliberate defamation of the Cybertruck of his company.
Maybe it is time to do so https://t.co/2i4q5QZOUn
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2025
Sheriff Kevin McMahill presented striking video evidence of the explosion, accompanied by images depicting the aftermath, which included numerous fuel canisters and large fireworks packed in the truck bed. The footage revealed the truck positioned directly at the hotel entrance. It remained stationary for several seconds before the explosion, resulting in a display of multi-colored fireworks shooting out in various directions.
A separate video depicted investigators employing a black fire-retardant tarp to extinguish the flames and examine the scorched remnants of the truck bed. Numerous gas and fuel canisters were abandoned at the scene, alongside the debris from over a dozen firework mortars. The incident took place at approximately 08:40 PT (15:40 GMT), only hours after Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a truck displaying an Islamic State (IS) group flag into a crowd in New Orleans and took multiple lives as well as dozens were injured.
NEWS: Law enforcement officials have released images of the exploded Cybertruck and the leftover fireworks and gas tanks. The truck itself helped contain the blast and held up extremely well.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 2, 2025
Authorities believe the items in the bed were connected to a detonation system… pic.twitter.com/Jf0zPl8KlA
According to Kevin McMahill, authorities are assessing whether there is a relationship between this incident and the one in New Orleans, where improvised explosive devices were located near the site. He stated that they were also examining the possibility of a connection to Donald Trump, the proprietor of the hotel, or Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla. The FBI has announced that it is probing whether the incident could be classified as an act of terrorism.
As per initial reports, the driver of the Cybertruck has been identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger from Colorado Springs. More details about his motive and affiliations are awaited.
