The man involved in the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had no animosity toward President-elect Donald Trump, the FBI revealed.
Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces intelligence sergeant from Colorado, was identified as the individual found deceased inside the vehicle. Investigators believe he also struggled with personal grievances and family issues, factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Las Vegas FBI agent Spencer Evans emphasized on Friday that the explosion, which police described as a “tragic case of suicide,” was unrelated to the deadly truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that left 14 dead. “There is no evidence that these two events are connected,” Mr. Evans said.
Data from Mr. Livelsberger’s phone, including personal notes, suggested he suffered from PTSD related to combat experiences. Investigators found that he purchased fireworks on his way from Colorado to Las Vegas, which caused the Cybertruck to explode. His body was recovered from the charred vehicle, alongside evidence of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. DNA from a family member confirmed his identity.
In the digital notes, Livelsberger expressed political grievances and criticized military leadership, urging fellow Army officers to speak out. He described the incident as “not a terrorist attack” but a “wake-up call.”
At the time of the explosion, Mr. Livelsberger was on approved leave from his post in Germany. He had recently visited his wife and eight-month-old daughter in Colorado. According to his father, their last conversation during Christmas showed no signs of distress. However, a former girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, revealed he had confided in her about a traumatic brain injury sustained during deployment, as well as struggles with memory, concentration, and guilt over battlefield actions.
Police tracked Mr. Livelsberger’s movements using Tesla’s surveillance data. He rented the Cybertruck via the Turo app on December 28, driving over 800 miles to Las Vegas. During this period, he legally purchased two firearms, which were later recovered from the vehicle.
Authorities have not determined why Livelsberger chose the Trump Hotel as the explosion site. Evidence suggests he had considered multiple locations. Seven people sustained minor injuries in the blast and have since been discharged from the hospital, according to Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
Sheriff McMahill stated that the investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement still reviewing extensive data recovered from Livelsberger’s devices.