Crime
Las Vegas Cybertruck bombing suspect Matthew Livelsberger spotted at a Tesla charging station
Las Vegas, NV – Newly released video footage and messages have shed light on the suspect behind the New Year’s Day Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Authorities have identified the bomber as Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty soldier from Colorado Springs, whose motivations, captured in chilling messages, reflect a disturbing narrative.
Surveillance footage shows Livelsberger stopping at a Tesla charging station en route to Las Vegas. Investigators tracked his movements from Colorado, through New Mexico, Arizona, and finally Nevada, utilizing data from Tesla charging stations after he rented the Cybertruck through Turo in Denver on December 28.
Messages Left by Livelsberger
Authorities released excerpts of messages left by Livelsberger, which appear to outline his rationale for the attack:
- “Fellow Servicemembers, Veterans, and all Americans, TIME TO WAKE UP!”
- “We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves.”
- “This was not a terrorist attack; it was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?”
- “Why did I personally do it now? I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.”
The explosion occurred in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on the morning of New Year’s Day. The blast killed Livelsberger, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and injured several others. According to the Clark County coroner, Livelsberger’s body was “burnt beyond recognition,” complicating initial identification efforts.
Forensic investigators uncovered Livelsberger’s military IDs, passport, and multiple firearms within the remains of the vehicle.
The bombing followed closely on the heels of a New Orleans truck attack, where 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar rammed a truck into a crowd in the French Quarter, killing at least 15 people.
These back-to-back incidents prompted heightened security across Las Vegas, with LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill announcing increased patrols along the Las Vegas Strip and downtown areas.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) will hold a press briefing at 1 p.m. on Friday at police headquarters. Sheriff McMahill is expected to provide updates on the investigation.
This tragic and harrowing incident has reignited discussions about public safety, extremism, and the mental health challenges faced by veterans. The investigation is ongoing.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.