Crime
Las Vegas bomber Matthew Livelsberger Manifesto Revealed
Las Vegas, NV – A chilling manifesto attributed to Matthew Livelsberger, the suspect in the New Year’s Day Las Vegas bombing, has come to light, offering disturbing insights into his motivations and state of mind.
The manifesto, sent via email to a contact identified as “Samosaur” the day before the attack, outlines Livelsberger’s claims of national security threats, personal grievances, and alleged war crimes.
- Claims of Foreign Threats
Livelsberger alleged that recent drone sightings on the U.S. East Coast were connected to China, which he described as deploying advanced gravitic propulsion systems via submarines. He called these aircraft “the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed,” emphasizing their stealth and payload capacity.“They can park it over the White House if they wanted. It’s checkmate,” he wrote. - Paranoia and Perceived Surveillance
The email reveals Livelsberger believed he was being tracked by federal agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security, as he attempted to reach Mexico.“They are looking to move on me but won’t because they know I am armed and I have a massive VBIED,” he claimed, referencing a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. - Allegations of U.S. War Crimes
Livelsberger detailed his involvement in alleged cover-ups of civilian casualties during airstrikes in Nimruz Province, Afghanistan, in 2019. He accused U.S. military and intelligence agencies of knowingly targeting civilian structures and burying evidence of these actions.“I conducted targeting for these strikes… 65 buildings were struck despite civilian presence, killing hundreds in a single day,” he alleged, calling the operations war crimes that were suppressed by the administration. - Appeals to the Media
Livelsberger urged his contact to elevate the information to the media, warning of catastrophic consequences if ignored.“You need to elevate this to the media so we avoid a world war because this is a mutually assured destruction situation,” he wrote.
The FBI has verified the email’s authenticity, noting Livelsberger’s military background and deployment in Afghanistan. They suspect he was suffering from untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may have contributed to his radicalization.
The manifesto also contained specific details for verification, including references to Livelsberger’s military assignments, a LinkedIn profile under the name “Matt Berg,” and his clearance level.
Livelsberger carried out the bombing on New Year’s Day at the valet area of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The explosion killed the bomber and injured multiple others. A subsequent investigation revealed Livelsberger had rented a Tesla Cybertruck in Denver before driving through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada. Authorities tracked his movements using Tesla charging station data.
In the wake of the attack, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced increased patrols on the Strip and downtown areas. LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that while the attack had no clear ties to broader terror networks, its implications for national security remain concerning.
Related Incidents
The attack coincided with another violent event earlier that day in New Orleans, where a driver intentionally plowed a truck into a crowd, killing at least 15 people. Authorities have not found evidence linking the two incidents.
A press briefing by law enforcement is scheduled to provide further updates.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.