The bomber who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has been identified as Army service member Matthew Livelsberger.
Livelsberger, 37, was identified by law enforcement sources as the bomber in the Wednesday attack that left seven wounded.
He served over 19 years in the Army - 18 of which were spent with the Special Forces, according to his LinkedIn profile. His current role was listed as a Remote and Autonomous Systems Manager, which he had been in for just three months.
A Colorado townhouse associated with Livelsberger was raided by the FBI late on Wednesday night. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were brought in to assist.
The suspected bomber was raised in Ohio, moved to Colorado Springs as an adult and has reportedly been linked to several addresses in the city, included the one searched by investigators.
He is suspected of renting the Cybertruck in Colorado Springs, via the Turo app, and driving it across the border to Nevada on Wednesday morning, stopping at various charging stations along the route.
Law enforcement sources revealed that Livelsberger, who died Wednesday in the explosion outside the hotel, had previously served at the same military base as New Orleans terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar. Police have not confirmed if the pair were known to each other.
Jabbar, who had allegedly pledged himself to Islamic State, rammed a pickup truck - which bore the ISIS flag - into a crowd of New Year revellers, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens.
In a press conference, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the cybertruck arrived in Las Vegas at 7.30am.
The explosion took place at 8.40am in the hotel's valet area. Surveillance footage showed the truck sitting outside the front entrance. Seconds later, the $80,000 car blew up in a fiery blaze.
Debris smoked as the roof pinged off the pavement and sparks which looked like fireworks could be seen lighting up the black cloud of smoke coming from the vehicle.
A tumble of charred fireworks mortars, cannisters and other explosive devices were found in the back of the pickup.
Officials are still exploring how the explosives were detonated, but sources have said that they were likely controlled by the driver.
Livelsberger was the sole fatality in the attack, and authorities largely credit Musk's hulking truck with preventing further damage because it was able to contain much of the explosion.
According to the KOAA, law enforcement officers wearing tactical gear and travelling in armored vehicles arrived at one of Livelsberger's Colorado Springs properties on Wednesday night.
Neighbours were 'escorted away' from the complex in the Stetson Hills neighbourhood as investigators carried out their search. Police have assured the public they do not suspect there is any ongoing threat to the community.
Hours before the attack in Las Vegas, Jabbar drove an electric vehicle into crowds in New Orleans, killing 15 pedestrians and injuring dozens more.
Law enforcement sources have since revealed the cars used in both attacks were rented through Turo, and they were both EVs, prompting concerns they are linked.
Police revealed on Wednesday afternoon that they are currently investigating potential links and have not ruled anything out yet.
'Do I think it's a coincidence? I don't know,' Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. 'We're absolutely looking into any connections to New Orleans.'
A spokesperson for Turo later issued a statement describing the company's heartbreak 'by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and our prayers are with the victims and families.
'We are actively partnering with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents.
'We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat.'
No comments:
Post a Comment