This article was originally published in English
Investigators are trying to understand the motivations of the author of the Tesla explosion in Las Vegas. The highly decorated soldier is described as a quiet person.
ADVERTISEMENT
The U.S. Army soldier was inside a fireworks-filled Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, authorities said Thursday.
Identified as Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, 37, reportedly shot himself in the head moments before the detonation.
The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people, the hotel was virtually undamaged.
A U.S. medical examiner confirmed Livelsberger’s death was a suicide by gunshot. Authorities are still working to determine the motive for the attack.
A law enforcement official said investigators learned through interviews that he may have argued with his wife over relationship problems shortly before renting the Tesla and purchasing the weapons.
“It has not escaped our notice that it was in front of the Trump building and that it was a Tesla vehicle, but we do not have information at this stage that allows us to assert or suggest that it’s because of this particular ideology”said Spencer Evans, the FBI special agent in charge of Las Vegas.
Livelsberger had just returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on leave of absence when he died, authorities said.
Among the charred items found inside the truck were a handgun at Livelsberger’s feet, another firearm, a number of fireworks, a passport, a military ID, credit cards, an iPhone and a smartwatch. Authorities said both guns were purchased legally.
Livelsberger served in the Green Berets, highly trained special forces specializing in overseas counterterrorism operations and training allied forces. He had served in the Army since 2006 and had risen through the ranks through a long career of overseas tours. He was deployed twice to Afghanistan and served in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo, the Army said.
He received a total of five Bronze Stars, including one with a Valor Device for valor under fire, a Combat Infantryman Badge and an Army Commendation Medal for valor.
Authorities searched a home in Colorado on Thursday as part of the investigation. Neighbors said the man who lived there had a wife and baby and gave no signs of danger to anyone.
Belgium
