(COLORADO) — The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck which burst in flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel has been identified to be a U.S. Army soldier from Colorado, according to News Nation.
On Wednesday, Jan. 1, the driver, identified as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, parked his rented Cybertruck next to the hotel’s front doors which then exploded. The explosion left seven injured and according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the driver had a gunshot wound prior to the explosion and it is believed to be self-inflicted.
Inside the car, police found, gas canisters, camping fuel, and firework mortars after the fire was extinguished. Police also found multiple firearms that were burned beyond recognition according to Kevin McHall, LVMPD Sheriff.
Police confirmed the act was intentional, while the FBI said the car explosion was an isolated incident.
McHall was also able to confirm he drove from Colorado to Las Vegas, making several stops along the way that were tracked with Tesla’s charging stations.
Livelsberger was a decorated Army soldier and had served since 2006 according to an Army spokesperson. Livelsberger was a Master Sergeant enlisted as an 18X, better known as a Special Forces candidate or Green Beret, one of the most highly skilled soldiers per the Army‘s website.
The spokesperson said Livelsberger served active duty until March 2011.
“Livelsberger then joined the National Guard from March 2011 to July 2012, followed by the Army Reserve from July 2012 to December 2012,” the spokesperson said. “He entered the active duty Army in December 2012 and was a U.S. Army Special Operations Soldier.”
According to the FBI spokesperson, Livelsberger was assigned to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said that he was on approved leave from Germany at the time of his death.
“USASOC is in full cooperation with federal and state law enforcement agencies, but as a matter of policy, will not comment on ongoing investigations,” the spokesperson said.
Livelsberger owned multiple properties in Colorado Springs, including a condo home off Uintah Street in Colorado Springs, and had a mailing address at an apartment complex near Galley Road and Powers according to the El Paso County Assessor website.
Several law enforcement agencies including the Denver Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives; and the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) were also on scene at a community of townhomes near Stetson Hills Boulevard and Marksheffel Road late on Wednesday, Jan 1, and into Thursday, Jan. 2.
The FBI confirmed the activity was related to the explosion in Las Vegas. FOX21’s crew on the scene confirmed that at around 11 a.m., several vehicles left the scene with what appeared to be an evidence trailer.
Neighbors told FOX21 News that Livelsberger had a wife, and a baby.
FOX21 News will update this article when more information becomes available.
