A person in an exploded Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, believed to be an elite soldier
The man who rented the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel is an active-duty U.S. Special Forces soldier, officials have confirmed.
Las Vegas police have identified Matthew Alan Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado as the lessor who drove the Cybertruck from Colorado to Las Vegas.
They said they were pretty sure it was the same person who was found dead in the vehicle after the explosion, but were waiting for DNA evidence to confirm that.
The body was burned beyond recognition and was found with a gunshot wound to the head believed to be self-inflicted, according to Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
Seven people were injured in the explosion after the vehicle – filled with fuel canisters and mortars – exploded. Officials said all injuries were minor.
Authorities said they have yet to determine a motive.
“I can’t call it a suicide with the bombing that happened right after,” Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said during a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Livelsberger rented the Cybertruck on December 28 in Denver, Colorado. He has decades of experience with the US military, having served in the Army and National Guard.
He joined the active army in December 2012, serving as a special operations soldier.
The US military said he was on authorized leave at the time of his death.
Livelsberger’s father spoke to BBC news partner CBS and said his son was currently serving in Germany and on leave to visit Colorado and see his wife and eight-month-old daughter.
Livelsberger’s father said he last spoke to his son at Christmas and everything seemed normal.
