Leavensberger’s ID found by investigators in charred Tesla Cybertruck Photo: Zuma Press Wire / SplashNews.com
Las Vegas has been rocked by a high-profile story: Green Beret Sergeant Major Matthew Alan Lywelsberger, an active member of the US military special forces, blew up a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump Hotel. Before detonating the vehicle, he committed suicide, BBC and CNN reported.
A military career and a shocking ending
Livesberger, 37, was a member of the US Army’s elite special forces unit known as the Green Berets. He was stationed in Germany with the 10th Special Operations Group and was on leave for the holidays. Officials confirmed that he was in the US at the time of the incident.
Lovelsberger’s family and fellow officers are stunned by the incident. His father said that the last conversation he had with his son on Christmas Day was completely normal, and his family remembers him as a patriot who expressed support for Donald Trump on social media.
Explosion without casualties
On 1 January, a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fuel canisters and pyrotechnics by Lyvelsberger exploded in front of the Trump Hotel. The explosion did not cause significant damage due to the design of the vehicle, which directed the force of the explosion vertically. Seven people were injured, but all suffered only minor injuries.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the incident was being classified as a suicide, although the motives remain unknown.
Travelling from Colorado to Las Vegas
Lywelsberger rented a Cybertruck through the Turo platform in Denver, Colorado, on 28 December. His route to Las Vegas was tracked using security cameras and Tesla technology.
On the day of the explosion, he parked near the glass entrance to the hotel and blew up the car shortly afterwards. Items found in the remains of the car included two pistols, pyrotechnics, identification documents and personal belongings.
Parallels with other incidents
The investigation drew attention to possible links to another incident – a car attack in New Orleans on the same day that killed 14 people. Both suspects were stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and had been deployed to Afghanistan.
Despite the similarities, no direct link between the incidents has yet been established.
