A rented Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas is now the focus of a multi-agency investigation, with authorities conducting a search at a residence in Colorado believed to be connected to the incident. The vehicle was rented to Matthew Alan Livelsberger, however, the identity of the individual who died in the explosion early Wednesday is still unknown.
The FBI confirmed that the search of a Colorado Springs residence was directly related to the Las Vegas explosion but did not provide additional details. Multiple senior law enforcement sources have indicated the incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack.
While a motive remains undetermined, the timing of the blast, occurring shortly after a separate incident in New Orleans involving a rented pickup truck and an ISIS flag, has raised concerns. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted that both vehicles involved were rented from the same company, Turo, but he declined to confirm a link between the two incidents. He added that initial investigations have not identified connections to ISIS or other terrorist organizations.
Despite this, the investigation continues, with law enforcement exploring all potential leads. Acting FBI Special Agent Jeremy Schwartz suggested the Las Vegas explosion appeared to be an isolated incident. Turo has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, confirming that neither renter had a criminal record that might have suggested a security threat.
The explosion, reported at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time, resulted in minor injuries to seven bystanders. Initial reports and videos online captured the immediate aftermath of the explosion, with smoke and fire billowing around the hotel entrance.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated the explosion was not caused by the vehicle itself. According to Musk, preliminary investigations suggest the blast was due to "very large fireworks and/or a bomb" placed in the truck bed. He further noted vehicle telemetry indicated normal function at the time of the explosion.
Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, expressed gratitude for the rapid response of law enforcement, reiterating the priority of the safety of hotel guests and staff.
