Tesla Cybertruck Las Vegas Explosion: About Suspect Matthew Livelsberger & More

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A Tesla Cybertruck explosion left Las Vegas residents and tourists in shock. On Wednesday, January 1, a vehicle abruptly exploded at around 8:40 a.m. local time outside of a Trump Hotel. Several victims were injured but are stable, according to CNN. Videos of the moment quickly circulated on social media, and based on the height of the burst and flames, people speculated whether there were fireworks inside the car. So, who caused the fire and what was their motive?

Get updates on the Cybertruck explosion and the suspect here.

How Did the Las Vegas Cybertruck Explode?

A video of the vehicle’s explosion showed flames engulfing the Cybertruck followed by what appeared to be fireworks bursting from the car. The detonation was so intense that the fire and smoke rapidly spread all around the car and outside the entrance of the Trump Hotel.

Police discovered firework mortars and camp fuel canisters in the Cybertruck, according to Denver7.

Who Is the Suspect Behind the Cybertruck Explosion?

Multiple outlets reported that the suspect behind the Cybertruck explosion was identified as Matthew Livelsberger, a Green Beret. The 37-year-old Army veteran was from Colorado Springs.

While several victims were injured from the incident, only Livelsberger died inside the Cybertruck, according to several outlets.

Since the New Orleans New Year’s attack suspect was also an Army veteran, authorities are looking into whether the cases are connected.

Is the Cybertruck Explosion Connected to the New Orleans Attack?

Both the Cybertruck detonation and the Bourbon Street, New Orleans, vehicle attack, happened on January 1, 2025. Furthermore, the suspects behind both incidents (Livelsberger is the Las Vegas suspect, and Shamsud-Din Jabbar is the New Orleans suspect) allegedly served at the Fort Bragg military base, per Denver7. They reportedly served in the Army in Afghanistan around the same time.

Additionally, both Livelsberger and Jabbar rented their respective vehicles from Turo, a car-sharing company. Nevertheless, law enforcement has not disclosed a formal link between the New Orleans pickup truck attack and the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion.

Authorities in New Orleans have called the New Year’s truck attack an act of terrorism. At the time of publication, the Las Vegas vehicle detonation has not been labeled as such.