This Tesla truck exploded in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. Seven people were injured.

DLNews Breaking News:

Las Vegas—In a shocking act of violence, an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas has been traced to an unlikely perpetrator: Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old U.S. Army Green Beret. Once stationed at the tank barracks in Böblingen, Germany, Livelsberger was a decorated master sergeant known for his expertise in guerrilla warfare and counterterrorism. His final act, however, has left investigators and the public reeling.

This is how Matthew Livelsberger (37) appeared on social networks.

On Wednesday, Livelsberger drove a rented Tesla Cybertruck to the entrance of the Trump Hotel. Moments later, the vehicle detonated, killing him instantly and injuring seven bystanders. Authorities revealed that the three-ton Cybertruck had been loaded with fireworks and gasoline canisters, creating a massive explosion that sent shockwaves through the area. Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted that the unique design of the Cybertruck mitigated the damage, directing much of the blast upward and sparing the hotel’s glass façade from shattering.

Livelsberger, who had been on leave during the holidays, had served with distinction in the U.S. Army’s elite Green Berets, a 10,000-strong unit specializing in overseas counterterrorism missions. His military rank of master sergeant reflected years of dedicated service. The revelation of his role in the attack has left many grappling with questions about his mental state and motives.

As investigators probe the incident, eerie parallels have emerged with another attack hours earlier in New Orleans. There, an ex-soldier killed 14 people with a rented pickup truck adorned with an ISIS flag. FBI Deputy Christopher Raia stated that while no direct link has been established between the two attacks, both perpetrators had ties to the same military base and rented their vehicles through the Turo app.

The body of the Tesla truck remained largely undamaged despite the massive explosion.

The explosion in Las Vegas has left the city shaken. Known for its bustling nightlife and entertainment, the Strip was brought to an eerie standstill as emergency responders worked to secure the scene. The contrast between Livelsberger’s military discipline and the chaos of his final act raises troubling questions about how someone trained to protect could turn to such destruction.

As Las Vegas mourns and authorities continue their investigation, the community remains resilient. The scars left by the blast will heal, but the haunting question of why a soldier became a bomber lingers, urging reflection on the unseen battles many may face after serving on the frontlines.