Authorities said Thursday that their investigation into the explosion that rocked the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas and killed one person had focused on a decorated U.S. Army soldier, but that key details, including the motive of the incident, remained elusive.
At a news conference, officials said an ID belonging to Matthew Alan Livelsberger, 37, was found at the scene, where a Tesla Cybertruck caught fire after an explosive detonated improvised in the bed of the truck. Livelsberger had rented the Cybertruck through the online platform Turo, and the vehicle provided law enforcement with important data to reconstruct its movements after it was rented in Colorado on Saturday.
Clark County Sheriff/Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Kevin McMahill acknowledged speculation on social media regarding Livelsberger, a master sergeant with the elite U.S. Army Special Forces unit and Colorado Springs resident , but said there was no immediate indication he was working as part of a larger operation.
“We don't believe there are any other threats or any people associated with him in Las Vegas,” McMahill told reporters.
Authorities said a military ID, passport and credit cards found at the scene were in Livelsberger's name, but that the body in the Cybertruck had been “burned beyond recognition.” Investigators are still waiting for DNA or medical record confirmation of the body's identity, but had other evidence indicating Livelsberger was deceased, including tattoos on the body's stomach and arms. Authorities also recovered two handguns, including a .50-caliber Desert Eagle and a semi-automatic pistol.
The body found in the Cybertruck had an apparent gunshot wound to the head, McMahill said, adding that a gun was found at the body's feet.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the weapons traced back to Livelsberger, who legally purchased them on Dec. 30. ATF officials said they are still investigating the explosive device and examining the debris, but the components appear to include consumers. Top quality fireworks, mortars and aerial shells.
The incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack, three senior law enforcement officials said Wednesday.
Spencer Evans, a special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas field office, said Thursday that officials reviewed information, one of which “alluded to this individual's experiences related to his time in the military.”
An Army spokesperson said Livelsberger was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and was on leave of absence from his base in Germany. He first entered the military in 2006 and returned to active duty in December 2012. He was a candidate for the Green Beret after serving in the National Guard and Army Reserve.
Earlier Thursday, federal law enforcement agents began searching a residence in Colorado Springs related to the case and are expected to remain on scene for several hours, the agency said in a statement.
“This activity is linked to the Las Vegas explosion,” the FBI said on X, declining to provide further details.
The explosion occurred just hours after a driver of a rented van plowed into New Year's Eve revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 30 others before being shot by the police. A flag of the Islamic State terrorist group was found in the back of the vehicle.
The New Orleans driver was identified Wednesday as a U.S. Army veteran from Texas, and authorities said they believe he acted alone.
Livelsberger's long military career included deployments to the Republic of Congo in 2014, Ukraine in 2016, Tajikistan in 2016 and Afghanistan in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Army awarded him several honors, including several Bronze Star medals and at least one for valor, meaning he saw combat and earned his credit.
Officials said Wednesday that the van and Tesla in the Las Vegas explosion were rented from the same company, Turo.
The company said in a statement that it was assisting investigators.
“We do not believe that the tenants involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had criminal histories that would have identified them as a security threat,” the statement said.
Federal officials also said Thursday that they had not determined any association between the events.
“At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the attack in Las Vegas,” Chris Raia, deputy director of the FBI's counterterrorism division, told reporters at a press conference providing an update on the investigation into the attack. Attack on New Orleans.
Still, the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas, appearing to involve service members with similar backgrounds and within hours of each other, were noted by officials.
“If it turns out to be similarities, there will be some very strange similarities,” McMahill said.
Authorities said Livelsberger rented the Tesla in Denver three days after Christmas and charged the electric vehicle near Colorado Springs on Monday. He loaded it again through towns along Interstate 40 in New Mexico and Arizona before arriving in Las Vegas early Wednesday.
The explosion happened within 17 seconds of arriving at the Trump International Hotel valet, McMahill said. The explosion was reported around 8:40 a.m. local time; seven bystanders were injured, but their injuries were considered minor.
